Wizards’ AJ Dybantsa sends bold message after 23-point Summer League game

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Wizards’ AJ Dybantsa sends bold message after 23-point Summer League game

Joshua Valdez, ClutchPoints · ClutchPoints

Mon, Jul 13, 2026 ·

5 min read

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Wizards' AJ Dybantsa sends bold message after 23-point Summer League game appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .

While Washington Wizards wing AJ Dybantsa isn't the first No. 1 overall pick to grab headlines with his Summer League performances, he might be the first to get buckets in front of his whole team in Las Vegas. The 19-year-old talked about what it means to have his squad's support after the Wizards ' 104-85 win over the Sacramento Kings on Sunday, via NBA on Prime.

"It just shows that the culture is shifting in D.C.," he said. "We have a new team, new vets that just want to show love to the youngins', and I think we're gonna be great this year."

Although Dybantsa is new to the organization , his "culture" comment shows awareness of its tortured history. It hasn't made the conference finals since 1979 or the second round since 2017, so the fanbase hasn't had much to be excited about.

That's why team president Michael Winger and general manager Will Dawkins stripped the team down to the studs after taking over in 2023, as the squad is now entirely different since then. Veteran forward Anthony Gill could return as the 15th man, but everyone on the current roster joined that year or later.

Washington continued its losing ways over the last three seasons, but this time to build a young core through the draft instead of toiling in mediocrity with veteran-led teams. It went a combined 50-196, putting it in position to select big man Alex Sarr No. 2 overall in 2024, guard Tre Johnson No. 6 last year and Dybantsa this year. Plus, it traded for star point guard Trae Young , star big man Anthony Davis , wing Kyshawn George , wing Will Riley , guard Bilal Coulibaly , guard Bub Carrington , and others along the way.

Everyone on the team who didn't play sat courtside for Washington's 92-88 win over the Utah Jazz on Thursday, except for Carrington, who took pictures for the NBA.

The squad also showed up to Young's press conference officially announcing his four-year, $212 million max contract the next day. Carrington capped it off by asking the 27-year-old if he'll go by a new nickname moving forward, suggesting "The Wizard," which prompted laughs in the crowd.

These moments of support and camaraderie show that the whole group is invested, as it's unusual for the entire roster to attend Summer League games and a team press conference, much less on back-to-back days. The players have reason to be enthusiastic, as the Wizards are talented enough to make the playoffs for the first time in the Winger/Dawkins era next season.

Furthermore, they finally have a franchise player in Dybantsa. Young and Davis are floor-raisers, but there's no telling if they'll still be in Washington after their current contracts. However, Dybantsa is the star prospect the organization needed to build around, the type of player it could mold into an NBA MVP one day.

The 2026 NCAA scoring champion has looked the part so far, as he followed up a 27-point outing on Thursday by notching 23 points (6-15 FG, 1-6 3-point), seven rebounds, five stocks (steals and blocks), and two assists over 24 minutes on Sunday. He has gotten to his spots effortlessly in both games, with multiple highlight-reel plays to boot.

Plus, Dybantsa isn't the only young Washington player who stuffed the stat sheet on Sunday.

Will Riley builds on tantalizing end of rookie season

Riley caught fire in the second half on Sunday, totaling 25 points after scoring seven in the first half. The 2025 No. 21 overall pick finished with a game-high 32 points (9-14 FG, 6-8 3-point), six rebounds and three assists over 29 minutes.

Although Riley was unconscious from deep , he also showed the slashing and on-ball skills that could help him become a versatile offensive threat.

The native Canadian explained post-game how he's developing as a facilitator after mostly playing off-ball last season, via All Wizards Talk.

"I've been on the ball a little more this year, so just trying to fine-tune my handle, making reads," he said. "When I get in the paint, knowing there's a guy open. Trying to make those reads consistently, to the point where the defense will break down."

Although Riley is 6-foot-9, he could get reps along with Carrington as a backup point guard behind Young come October. If the 2025 Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year proves himself in that regard, he'll have a pathway to consistent playing time in a crowded wing depth chart. Plus, he'd show he's not just a scorer after averaging 14.6 points on 47% shooting (37.5% 3-point) in February, 15.3 points on 45.4% shooting (34.2% 3-point) in March, and 18 points on 43.5% shooting (23.8% 3-point) in April.

Up next for the Wizards is another Summer League matchup against the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday.

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