AJ Dybantsa goes No. 1 in the 2026 NBA Draft: “He reminds me of McGrady”

After three nightmare seasons and nearly 200 combined losses, the Washington Wizards have decided to place their future in the hands of AJ Dybantsa, selected with the first overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

The franchise chose the BYU standout over fellow elite prospect Darryn Peterson, identifying the 19-year-old forward as the cornerstone around which to build its next winning era.

For Washington, this marks a historic moment. The Wizards have not reached the playoffs since 2021 and have not advanced past the second round since 1979, when the franchise – then known as the Bullets – reached the NBA Finals.

Dybantsa: “I wanted to be the No. 1 pick”

For the young star, hearing his name called first overall represents the culmination of a journey that began years ago.

Being the No. 1 pick meant a lot to me. I was considered the No. 1 player for most of my high school career, and I wanted to be the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft too, joining the same conversations as players like LeBron James, Allen Iverson and Cooper Flagg

AJ Dybantsa

Dybantsa now joins an exclusive group in franchise history, becoming just the third player selected first overall by the Wizards, alongside John Wall and Kwame Brown.

His lone season at BYU lived up to every expectation. Dybantsa averaged 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game while shooting 51% from the field.

Those numbers made him the first player since Glenn Robinson in 1994 to lead NCAA Division I in scoring and then be selected with the No. 1 overall pick.

Former Wizards star John Wall sees shades of one of the game’s great scorers in Dybantsa:

To me, AJ Dybantsa looks like a young Tracy McGrady. He’s explosive, athletic, and has pretty much every tool needed to become a special player

John Wall

At 6-foot-9, with elite mobility and shot-creation ability off the dribble, Dybantsa brings the kind of versatility that could fit seamlessly alongside Trae Young and Anthony Davis.

Defense and versatility

During meetings with the front office, the Wizards made it clear what they expect from him.

Dybantsa explained that his impact will extend far beyond scoring:

I can do a lot of different things. I can play off the ball, run in transition, knock down catch-and-shoot opportunities, or create my own shot off the dribble. But they also asked me to defend full court and bring defensive energy. That’s something I want to do

AJ Dybantsa

That will be a crucial element for a team that has struggled most on the defensive end in recent years.

The Wizards’ rebuild enters its most important phase

Over the last several seasons, Washington has dismantled its previous core and stockpiled young talent. Now, the plan crafted by president Michael Winger and general manager Will Dawkins is entering its most intriguing stage.

The goal is no longer simply developing prospects – it’s starting to win games.

Owner Ted Leonsis hinted at that direction immediately after the team won the Draft Lottery:

We’re on the path we planned. In fact, we’re probably a year ahead of schedule. Now we can finally begin to truly experience this project

Ted Leonsis

The Wizards are coming off a 17-65 season, their third consecutive year with at least 64 losses. Since their last playoff appearance, they have posted the worst record in the NBA, winning fewer than 30 percent of their games.

Still, there is a growing sense that things are finally beginning to change.

With an intriguing young core, the veteran leadership of Trae Young and Anthony Davis, and the addition of a potential generational talent in AJ Dybantsa, Washington hopes to leave its darkest years behind and start looking toward the postseason once again.

Tonight is a celebration of all the work that’s been done so far. But I know I still have so much to improve. Tomorrow, if they’ll let me, I’ll already be back in the gym

AJ Dybantsa

It’s the kind of message Wizards fans hope signals the beginning of a new era.