Pick 1 in the 2026 NBA Draft calls AJ Dybantsa

The 2026 NBA Draft class is receiving significant interest due to its abundance of bright talents.

The Washington Wizards officially opened a new chapter in their team rebuild by selecting AJ Dybantsa with the first overall pick in the NBA Draft 2026.

Dybantsa entered the NBA Draft as the highest-rated player in American college basketball and quickly proved his worth wearing the Brigham Young University (BYU) jersey. At 6'9", he had an explosive season averaging 25.5 points per game, becoming the driving force of the BYU Cougars' offense.

One of Dybantsa's biggest highlights came late in the season. In the Big 12 Tournament, he scored a total of 93 points over just three games, breaking the scoring record previously set by Kevin Durant. His impressive performance, witnessed by numerous NBA scouts, helped Dybantsa solidify his status as the top prospect for this year's draft.

"I've dreamed of the NBA since I was a kid. Now I'm excited to start my new journey.", Dybantsa shared after being called first.

In Washington, Dybantsa is expected to become the new core of the team alongside star Trae Young. The Wizards believe that the combination of Dybantsa's versatile scoring ability and Young's playmaking vision will create a solid foundation for the future.

After years of struggling near the bottom of the Eastern Conference and not appearing in the playoffs since the 2020-2021 season, the Wizards have high hopes for their current young core. With the arrival of Dybantsa, the capital's team hopes to quickly regain its competitive standing in the NBA.

Following AJ Dybantsa in the top five of this year's NBA Draft are Darryn Peterson (Utah Jazz), Cameron Boozer (Memphis Grizzlies), Caleb Wilson (Chicago Bulls), and Keaton Wagler (Los Angeles Clippers).