The Washington Wizards have selected Brigham Young forward Anicet Dybantsa, Jr. with the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Going forward, we’ll just call him AJ Dybantsa.
Dybantsa, 19, is a skilled forward who possesses elite scoring ability, athleticism and All-NBA upside.
During his lone season at BYU, the Massachusetts native scored a Division-I best 25.5 points per game while shooting 51% from the field. He used his 7-foot wingspan to grab nearly seven rebounds per contest. And his 3.7 assists per game showed a willingness to move the basketball into prime scoring positions when defenses loaded up to stop his scoring.
Dybantsa is a smooth mid-range jumpshooter who puts relentless pressure on the rim with constant drives and tough finishes. Standing nearly 6-foot-9, he can rise and shoot over almost any defender — a rare trait seen in scorers like Kevin Durant and Victor Wembanyama.
Dybantsa shot 46% on mid-range jumpers as a freshman, which ranked in the 91st percentile among fellow prospects, according to draftballr.com. His eight mid-range shots per 100 possessions ranked in the 94th percentile.
This play against UConn, where Dybantsa gets to his spot, rises over an impeccable contest from 6-foot-7 Jaylin Stewart and sinks a mid-range jumper, encapsulates his talent.
Dybantsa’s slashing ability is his best offensive trait. He shot 72.3% at the rim, which tied Caleb Wilson for the best among ESPN’s consensus lottery picks, on more than eight rim attempts per 100 possessions.
The offensive-minded forward can draw contact as well.
He attempted 13.1 free throws per 100 possessions, narrowly trailing Cameron Boozer’s 13.2 and Wilson’s 14.1, and finished his freshman campaign with a 49% free-throw rate. His 296 free-throw attempts led all Division-I players.
Several evaluators have questioned two aspects of Dybantsa’s game: perimeter shooting and defense.
While Dybantsa recorded just 23 combined steals and blocks last season, his long frame and freakish leaping ability — he recorded a 42-inch maximum vertical at the NBA Combine — provide hope that his defense could dramatically improve with increased film study and reps next to top defenders like Alex Sarr, Bilal Coulibaly and Kyshawn George.
His outside shooting numbers (33.1% 3PT) fell significantly behind those of Darryn Peterson (38.2%) and Boozer (39.1%). But other indicators, like his efficient mid-range jumper and touch in intermediate areas with floaters and push shots, showcased a shooting touch poised to stretch beyond the 3-point line with good coaching and lots of repetition.
Dybantsa projects as Washington’s No. 1 scoring option — a role he proved worthy of at BYU. After Richie Saunders, the Cougars’ second-leading scorer, tore his ACL on Feb. 14, Dybantsa scored 20 or more points in every game, including three 35-point showings and a 40-ball in Round 1 of the Big 12 Tournament.
In the first game after Saunders’ injury, BYU faced No. 6 Iowa State in a crucial Big-12 matchup. With all eyes on Dybantsa and a game plan designed to halt his scoring production, he dropped 29 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists on 10-17 FG to lead his squad to a 79-69 victory.
He averaged 31.0 points on 52% FG across three conference tournament games as the center of opponents’ game plans, which showcased his ability to get to his spots no matter the defensive scheme.
One of Dybantsa’s best collegiate performances was his 35-point showing against Texas in Round 1 of the NCAA Tournament. Texas coach Sean Miller simply ran out of adjustments to stop BYU’s prolific scorer.
“I don’t think we can [stop Dybantsa],” Miller said during his team’s NCAA Tournament victory over BYU. “There’s just very little you can do.”
Washington’s No. 1 pick projects as a Day 1 starter alongside Trae Young, Anthony Davis and Alex Sarr. The other spot will likely be occupied by either Bilal Coulibaly, Kyshawn George or Tre Johnson.
If Dybantsa gets 120% of the rookie scale, which Washington has given every prospect drafted by its current front office, he will make $15.2 million in 2026-27.
Dybantsa will be introduced at 11 a.m. ET on Thursday by Wizards general manager Will Dawkins.