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Trae Young welcomed AJ Dybantsa to the Washington Wizards - "We'll talk about that # soon"
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- Trae Young welcomed AJ Dybantsa to the Washington Wizards - "We'll talk about that # soon"
Everything that was predicted over the last few weeks received its final confirmation last night after AJ Dybantsa was selected with the No. 1 pick in the draft by the Washington Wizards . The versatile forward was thus rewarded for a phenomenal season at BYU, where he averaged 25.5 points and 6.8 rebounds while shooting 51.0 percent from the field.
The NCAA scoring champ was rewarded for a season in which he broke records held by some of the game's greatest legends, including a 43-point performance that surpassed Danny Ainge for the most points by a BYU freshman and just how much confidence he exudes was best described recently.
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Namely, the 6-foot-9 forward stated that he wants to wear his No. 3 when the Wizards draft him, even though it is currently worn by multiple-time All-Star Trae Young . This automatically raised a few eyebrows, but the former Atlanta Hawks guard immediately sent him a clear message of support following his selection.
"Welcome to DC AJ Dybantsa!! The story has been written. The City is Ready! We'll talk about that # soon," Young wrote on his "X" account.
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A stellar young core led by Dybantsa
The Wizards' selection of Dybantsa is irresistibly reminiscent of last year's Dallas Mavericks , who also featured three of the best players at their positions over the last decade on their roster. Kyrie Irving , Klay Thompson , and Anthony Davis were expected to accelerate Cooper Flagg 's growth.
However, halfway through the season, AD was traded, and just one year later, he finds himself in practically the exact same situation as last year, where he will have to lead by example for a man many predict will have a Hall of Fame career.
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Although he and Flagg did not have many opportunities to show what they could do together on the floor due to various circumstances, this Wizards team still inspires confidence because it is one of the most potent rosters in the league.
Aside from the fact that they play in an Eastern Conference that has been wide open for years, a stellar young core featuring Dybantsa and Alex Sarr — the No. 2 pick in 2024 — alongside veteran support from Davis and Young screams that they could become a dark horse as early as next season.
This is a team that also carries plenty of question marks above its head. Trae will want to show everyone why he currently holds the third-highest career assist average and the 12th-highest points average in league history. In contrast, Davis will want to prove he can lead a team to a title as the undisputed No. 1 option.
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Alongside Bilal Coulibaly and Tre Johnson , the team boasts a grand total of six top-10 draft selections on its roster. On paper, at least, it has the perfect mix of experience and youth, a potent defense, and a plethora of points in its hands. However, it remains to be seen how Brian Keefe will manage to put it all together on the floor.
Jun 23, 2026; New York, NY, USA; NBA Commissioner poses with the first pick in the 2026 NBA draft selected by the Washington Wizards, BYU forward AJ Dybantsa at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
AD and Trae want to show how much they are worth
The double-edged sword is that Dybantsa clearly holds himself in very high regard, as seen in every statement he makes after making his case for being the No. 1 NBA Draft pick .
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"I play the game the right way, I try to get wins, to get everybody involved. I like everybody eating," Dybantsa said . "I'm an exciting player, I have a lot of highlight plays. I fill seats. So it's a little bit of everything."
While this kind of confidence is an undeniable asset for a young player, Davis and Young will still have something to say about it. They are proven names in this league, far from the end of their careers, and they still want to show how much they are worth.
Be that as it may, DC has finally landed a highly electrifying team to watch that screams potential. When you have names like that on the roster, making the playoffs is the bare minimum, but everything will start with how the team's internal hierarchy is established.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Jun 24, 2026, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
