Washington Wizards Select AJ Dybantsa No. 1 Overall in 2026 NBA Draft

The Washington Wizards have selected AJ Dybantsa, a small forward from BYU, as the No. 1 overall pick in the highly anticipated 2026 NBA Draft.

Considered one of the most talented draft classes in recent years, the draft saw the Wizards make their pivotal choice between Dybantsa and Kansas guard Darryn Peterson. The Utah Jazz subsequently selected Peterson at No. 2, followed by the Memphis Grizzlies picking Duke forward Cameron Boozer at No. 3. The Chicago Bulls rounded out the top four by selecting North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson.

Dybantsa is expected to be a cornerstone for a Wizards team that has faced significant challenges, making only one playoff appearance in the last eight seasons. The franchise is looking for a fresh start, centering its future around Dybantsa, star point guard Trae Young, and newly acquired big man Anthony Davis.

With the Eastern Conference recently seeing the New York Knicks win their first NBA title in 53 years and a major trade sending Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat, the Wizards face a highly competitive landscape. They desperately need Dybantsa to live up to his potential and help transform them into contenders.

The Wizards' last No. 1 overall pick was John Wall in 2010. Fans will be hoping Dybantsa's tenure proves more successful and less injury-plagued than Wall's, who had a solid career derailed by injuries. The franchise is pinning its hopes on Dybantsa to usher in a new era of success.