AJ Dybantsa, a 19-year-old from Massachusetts, was selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA draft by the Washington Wizards. The former BYU star joined elite company as the 80th No. 1 overall pick since the first draft in 1947.

Dybantsa’s Reaction

Dybantsa spoke on TODAY about what it was like to become the No. 1 overall pick, saying it was ‘super surreal.’ He also paid tribute to his father, Anicet ‘Ace’ Dybantsa Sr., by requesting that NBA commissioner Adam Silver announce his draft selection by using his full name, Anicet Dybantsa Jr.

Dybantsa’s family, including his father, mother Chelsea, and two sisters, Samarra and Jasmyn, were at the draft at Barclays Center in Brooklyn to support him. His father, who is serving as AJ’s manager, said he was ‘nervous, very, very nervous’ but proud of his son’s achievement.

Dybantsa’s Basketball Career

Dybantsa led the NCAA in scoring with 25.5 points per game in his lone college season at BYU this past winter. He was named a first-team All-American and first-team All-Big 12. Dybantsa was considered the nation’s No. 1 recruit coming out of Utah Prep before he signed with BYU.

He hopes to bring instant offense to a moribund Wizards franchise that has not had a winning season since 2017-18 and is coming off a 17-65 season, the worst of any team in the NBA. Dybantsa said he heard from head coach Brian Keefe and star point guard Trae Young after being drafted by the Wizards.

Original reporting: NBC10 Boston — read the source article.