Carmelo Anthony’s advice for AJ Dybantsa

There were no surprises when AJ Dybantsa heard his name called on stage at the Barclays Center. The former BYU star officially became the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, beginning his journey with the Washington Wizards. Just hours before the ceremony, Carmelo Anthony outlined the enormous expectations awaiting the 19-year-old.

Speaking on the 7 PM in Brooklyn podcast, the former NBA superstar addressed Dybantsa directly, focusing less on the talent he displayed in college and more on the unique pressure that comes with being the player expected to reshape an entire franchise.

Now, with a Wizards cap on Dybantsa’s head, Anthony’s message reads like a blueprint for integrating into a core featuring Trae Young and Anthony Davis.

They’re looking for a franchise player. They want to revive the environment and rebuild the culture of that region and that organization. They’re looking for someone they can build around for the next 10 years

Carmelo Anthony

Anthony continued by emphasizing the responsibility that comes with Dybantsa’s arrival in the nation’s capital.

That’s the reality you’re stepping into. Anthony Davis won’t be there forever – he’s getting older. Trae Young is reaching a critical point in his career, and this will be a huge season for him. The front office is thinking about that too. But they’re also saying, ‘We need a cornerstone.’ If you enter the league with that mindset, everything becomes easier to manage

Carmelo Anthony

Anthony’s perspective is rooted in personal experience. In 2003, the former Syracuse star was selected third overall by the Denver Nuggets, immediately becoming the face of the franchise both on and off the court.

You have to understand the responsibility and accountability that come with it right away. Even with Trae and AD on the roster, your mindset should be, ‘I’m going to be here for the next decade.’ That’s exactly what Washington is looking for

Carmelo Anthony

That same transition now awaits Dybantsa in Washington after a dominant season with the BYU Cougars, where he led the nation with 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game while shooting 51% from the field.

Throughout the pre-draft process, the 2007-born forward displayed tremendous confidence in his abilities, naming Kevin Durant and Tracy McGrady as role models while expressing his desire to one day compete against LeBron James.

Now that the formalities of draft night in New York are over, the real challenge begins for the Wizards’ new forward: transforming his collegiate production into the leadership needed to guide Washington’s organization for – potentially – the next decade.