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The 6ft 8in (2.03m) 19-year-old was lured by the Wizards shortly after playing college basketball.
Updated on 24 Jun 2026
Young star Anicet “AJ” Dybantsa Jr was selected by the Washington Wizards with the first pick in the 2026 NBA Draft on Tuesday.
The 6ft 9in (2.06m) 19-year-old forward was selected by the Wizards after playing college basketball with the Brigham Young University Cougars.
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In 2025-26, Dybantsa scored 25.5 points in 35 starts with 6.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists.
Dybantsa enters the NBA after a successful career in youth basketball, which also saw him lead the United States to the 2025 FIBA Under-19 World Cup, where he was named Most Valuable Player.
“It means a lot,” Dybantsa told ESPN minutes after the selection.
“Obviously, this is just a step, and I have a lot of work to do, but it’s a testament to all my hard work and discipline and the sacrifices I’ve made,” he added.
NBA Draft so far
The Utah Jazz, meanwhile, selected University of Kansas prospect Darryn Peterson with the second pick.
Like Dybantsa, the 6ft 6in guard also broke into the NBA shortly after his college football career, where he averaged 20.2 points.
A natural playmaker, Peterson is seen as a good fit to play alongside Utah’s Keyonte George as the Jazz try to rebuild after a disastrous 22-60 season.
The Memphis Grizzlies, meanwhile, selected consensus national player of the year Cameron Boozer with the third pick in the draft.
Boozer is the son of NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer, a 13-year NBA veteran who played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Utah Jazz, Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers.
The 18-year-old played one season with Duke University, averaging 22.5 points in 38 starts.
The 6ft 9in prospect is regarded by many as the most talented player on this year’s show, combining natural all-court skills and physical heft.
His college season ended in March when he suffered multiple injuries around his right eye during Duke’s 73-72 loss to the University of Connecticut in the Elite Eight of the college tournament.
“Honestly, man, he’s crazy,” Boozer said afterward. “Happiness is so much happiness – my whole life in a few seconds.”
Boozer, sitting next to his parents and siblings as he spoke to ESPN, said he did well for his family.
“As a family that’s been here, I wouldn’t be here without these guys being here,” Boozer said. I really enjoy being with them. They have always been with me.
