Overview
- AJ Dybantsa was selected first overall and has been formally introduced by the Washington Wizards, and he is expected to make his first on-court appearance in Summer League as the start of his development path.
- Dybantsa framed his goals around bringing championships to Washington and said he looks forward to sharing the court with Kevin Durant and playing at TD Garden.
- Kevin Durant publicly praised Dybantsa on Instagram, calling him a “Future DC legend,” a high-profile endorsement that boosts the rookie’s local marketability.
- Wizards fans responded positively to the pick, with a Bullets Forever SB Nation poll showing 90 percent of respondents gave the selection an A grade.
- Dybantsa arrives off a strong college season at BYU where he averaged 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists, and the franchise must now balance his integration with recent big-dollar moves that include a Trae Young extension and planned talks on an Anthony Davis extension.