Wizards Select BYU's AJ Dybantsa No. 1 Overall to Headline 2026 NBA Draft

The 2026 NBA Draft officially ushered in a highly anticipated new generation of basketball talent on Tuesday night, with the Washington Wizards selecting BYU scoring sensation AJ Dybantsa as the number one overall pick. The 19-year-old forward, who led the nation in scoring during his lone collegiate season, immediately transforms the outlook of a Washington franchise that has missed the playoffs for five consecutive years.[1][3]

When NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced the selection at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, Dybantsa—who opted to be recognized by his given name, Anicet, in honor of his father—embraced his family before donning a black Wizards cap. The 6-foot-9, 217-pound wing arrives in the nation's capital with immense expectations, having drawn frequent comparisons to his favorite player, Kevin Durant, who grew up in the Washington area.[2][3]

Dybantsa's collegiate resume made him an irresistible choice for a front office desperate for a franchise cornerstone. He averaged a staggering 25.5 points per game for the Cougars, highlighted by a 43-point performance that shattered BYU's freshman scoring record. His ability to attack the rim and draw contact was unparalleled in college basketball; he led the country in both free throws attempted and made, providing the exact type of three-level offensive focal point the Wizards have lacked.[3][6]

Washington's selection of Dybantsa signals the final piece of a massive offseason overhaul. He joins a suddenly star-studded roster built around point guard Trae Young, who recently agreed to a four-year, $212 million deal, and star big man Anthony Davis, whom the Wizards acquired in a blockbuster February trade. The trio instantly elevates Washington from a rebuilding lottery fixture to a team with immediate playoff ambitions in the Eastern Conference.[2]

Following Dybantsa, the Utah Jazz selected Kansas guard Darryn Peterson with the second overall pick. Peterson, a 6-foot-5 guard out of Canton, Ohio, was widely considered the most gifted pure shot-maker in the draft class. Despite a chaotic freshman season hampered by hamstring and ankle injuries, as well as persistent cramping, Peterson still managed to average 20.2 points and 4.2 rebounds while shooting 38.2 percent from beyond the arc.[4]

Peterson becomes the highest-drafted Kansas player since Andrew Wiggins went first overall in 2014. While he missed 11 games and frequently had to check himself out of contests due to his health issues, NBA scouts remained enamored with his explosive ability to get to the basket and his smooth handling in both the half and full court. Peterson recently visited Salt Lake City and expressed confidence in his fit, stating that his scoring ability will translate seamlessly to the Jazz's offensive system.[4]

The Memphis Grizzlies rounded out the top three by selecting Duke forward Cameron Boozer, adding a consensus National Player of the Year to their frontcourt. The 18-year-old son of two-time NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer led the Blue Devils with 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game as a true freshman. Boozer's production was remarkably consistent, as he scored 13 or more points in every college game he played.[5]

Draft analysts view Memphis as an ideal landing spot for Boozer's versatile offensive skill set. At 6-foot-9 and 250 pounds, his outstanding footwork and soft hands make him a perfect frontcourt partner for the Grizzlies' towering 7-foot-3 center, Zach Edey. Evaluators believe Boozer's ability to pull opposing big men away from the basket and knock down three-pointers—he shot 39.1 percent from deep at Duke—will open up the floor for the rest of the Memphis roster while restoring the franchise's trademark physical identity.[5]

The top of the draft board continued to feature elite collegiate production, with the Chicago Bulls selecting North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson at number four. As the night unfolded in Brooklyn, the overarching theme was clear: the NBA's incoming class is defined by polished, high-volume scorers who proved they could carry the offensive load at the highest levels of college basketball. Now, they face the ultimate test of translating that dominance to the professional ranks.[1][2]