NBA commissioner Adam Silver (L) and A.J. Dybantsa pose for a picture after he was drafted by the Washington Wizards during the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft on Tuesday at the Barclays Center in the Brooklyn, N.Y. Photo by Sarah Yenesel/EPA
A.J. Dybantsa is focused on earning a spot with the Washington Wizards and seeks veteran knowledge, the top pick in the 2026 NBA Draft told reporters.
The former BYU star heard his name called first Tuesday in Brooklyn, N.Y., launching the annual event. All 30 selections from Tuesday’s first round, including trades, are listed below.
The Utah Jazz selected Kansas guard Darryn Peterson at No. 2 overall. Duke forward Cameron Boozer, who claimed a haul of Player of the Year honors, went to the Memphis Grizzlies at No. 3. The Chicago Bulls selected North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson at No. 4. The Los Angeles Clippers snagged Illinois guard Keaton Wagler at No. 5.
“Obviously I have to pave my way,” Dybantsa said. “Obviously I’m walking in with some vets so I definitely gotta earn my spot.”
Dybantsa is set to join veteran center Anthony Davis and point guard Trae Young on a rejuvenated Wizards roster.
“Coming into the league and not having any vets is probably tough,” Dybantsa said. “But having vets like All-Star guys in Trae Young and Anthony Davis, guys who have won chips like Anthony Davis.
“I think I can kinda pick their games and get some easy knowledge.”
The Wizards haven’t posted a winning record since 2017. They failed to win at least 20 games each of the last three seasons, including a 17-65 campaign in 2025-26 and franchise-worst 15-67 mark in 2023-24.
Dybantsa pointed to his versatility when asked how he can help the Wizards turn around their fledgling franchise.
“I think I can bring whatever they need me to do,” Dybantsa said. “If they want me to be strictly a defender, I can do that. If they want me to be strictly an offensive player, I can do that. But I think I can bring two-way abilities, being able to score off the catch, dribble, been working on my catch-and-shoot three a lot, trying to guard the best player.”
Wizards general manager Will Dawkins pointed to Dybantsa’s “rare combination” of skills. He also called him “a special person and special athlete.”
“That’s the combination a city is going to get behind,” Dawkins said.
Mikel Brown Jr. (Brooklyn Nets), Darius Acuff Jr. (Sacramento Kings), Kingston Flemings (Atlanta Hawks), Morez Johnson Jr. (Dallas Mavericks) and Brayden Burries (Milwaukee Bucks) rounded out the Top 10 picks in Tuesday’s first round.
The second round of the 2026 NBA Draft will air at 8 p.m. EDT Wednesday on ESPN.
2026 NBA Draft
1. Washington Wizards: BYU forward A.J. Dybantsa
2. Utah Jazz: Kansas guard Darryn Peterson
3. Memphis Grizzlies: Duke forward Cameron Boozer
4. Chicago Bulls: North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson
5. Los Angeles Clippers: Illinois guard Keaton Wagler
6. Brooklyn Nets: Louisville guard Mikel Brown Jr.
7. Sacramento Kings: Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr.
8. Atlanta Hawks: Houston guard Kingston Flemings
9. Dallas Mavericks: Michigan forward Morez Johnson Jr.
10. Milwaukee Bucks: Arizona guard Brayden Burries
11. Golden State Warriors: Michigan forward Yaxel Lendeborg
12. Oklahoma City Thunder: Michigan center Aday Mara
13. Miami Heat: Tennessee forward Nate Ament
14. Charlotte Hornets: Washington forward Hannes Steinbach
15. Chicago Bulls: Texas guard/forward Dailyn Swain
16. Memphis Grizzlies (traded to Oklahoma City Thunder): Iowa guard Bennett Stirtz
17. Oklahoma City Thunder (traded to Detroit Pistons): Stanford guard Ebuka Okorie
18. Charlotte Hornets: Texas Tech guard Christian Anderson
19. Toronto Raptors: Santa Clara forward Allen Graves
20. San Antonio Spurs: Kentucky forward Jayden Quaintance
21. Detroit Pistons (traded to Memphis Grizzlies): Mexican forward Karim Lopez
22. Philadelphia 76ers: Alabama guard Labaron Philon Jr.
23. Atlanta Hawks: St. John’s forward Zuby Ejiofor
24. New York Knicks (traded to Los Angeles Lakers): Baylor guard Cameron Carr
25. Los Angeles Lakers (traded to Dallas Mavericks): Spanish guard Sergio de Larrea
26. Denver Nuggets (traded to San Antonio Spurs): UConn center Tarris Reed Jr.
27. Boston Celtics: Houston forward/center Chris Cenac Jr.
28. Minnesota Timberwolves: Iowa State forward Joshua Jefferson
29. Cleveland Cavaliers (traded to Sacramento Kings): UConn forward Alex Karaban
30. Dallas Mavericks (traded to Phoenix Suns): Arizona forward Koa Peat
