AJ Dybantsa of BYU is one of those special players that doesn’t come around too often. He’s got speed, a high basketball IQ and a powerful on-court presence that’s hard to match.
So, it makes sense that he’s not budging from being projected to go No. 1 in the 2026 NBA draft.
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In a recent mock draft, Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report names his projections for the upcoming draft. He has Dybantsa as a no-brainer selection to go first to the Wizards. Nobody should be surprised by this idea.
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“He just looks destined to land somewhere between really good and great. Teams are forever hunting for star big-wings, and he’s built from that very blueprint,” he stated. “At worst, he figures to be a 20-ish-point scorer with explosive athleticism and three-level scoring. At best, he could be closer to a 30-point producer, plus a capable secondary playmaker and a chaos-creator on defense.”
AJ Dybantsa #3 of the BYU Cougars reacts against the Texas Longhorns during the second half in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Moda Center on March 19, 2026 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images)
My Analysis: AJ Dybantsa and the Wizards
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Adding a talent like Dybantsa on the wing could completely change the direction of the Wizards’ rebuild faster than expected. Washington already has a young core with plenty of upside, but adding a player with his scoring ability, athleticism and star power gives the roster a different kind of energy.
He feels like the type of player who can raise the ceiling of everyone around him while also becoming the face of the franchise.
If he develops the way many expect, the Wizards suddenly go from a rebuilding team to a real threat in the Eastern Conference sooner rather than later.
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