Everything AJ Dybantsa Said After Wizards Draft BYU Star with No. 1 Overall Pick

Former BYU standout AJ Dybantsa reacted to the Washington Wizards selecting him with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA draft on Tuesday night.

"It just means a lot," Dybantsa said in an interview with ESPN's Lisa Salters (0:10 mark). "Obviously, it's just a stepping stone. Obviously I have a lot more work to do, but a testament to all my hard work and all the discipline and sacrifices that I make."

Dybantsa also was quick to update his Twitter bio:

Dybantsa's name was read by NBA commissioner Adam Silver as "Anicet Dybanta Jr." when he was selected No. 1 overall, as he explained that he wanted to honor his father.

"Everything I do is for him," Dybantsa told Salters (0:28 mark). "This name he gave me is really his name because he's a senior, so I also wanted to honor him this day too."

Dybantsa is coming off a stellar freshman year with the Cougars, leading the country by averaging 25.5 points per game.

He also recorded 6.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.1 steals on a nightly basis while shooting 51.0 percent from the field and 33.1 percent from behind the arc.

Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman compared Dybantsa to Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown in his scouting report.

"Dybantsa is further along at the same age as Brown, but they share similar physical/athletic traits and shot diets," Wasserman wrote. "These are powerful wings that can explode to the rim, score through contact and draw fouls. They're also advanced shotmakers from all levels, even if their three-point percentages don't jump off the page."

Dybantsa will look to establish himself as a building block for a Wizards squad led by star point guard Trae Young, who reportedly agreed to a new four-year contract worth $212 million on Monday.

Washington wrapped up a 17-65 finish last season, missing the playoffs for the fifth consecutive year.