According to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, AJ Dybantsa showed no concern about slipping beyond the top two selections in the upcoming NBA draft. Fischer reported that the BYU star’s reaction to the lottery results was clear: “I wasn’t really worried about [picks] 14 [to] 3.”
The Washington Wizards won the NBA Draft Lottery with a 14% chance, securing the No. 1 overall pick for the first time since 2010. Most evaluators believe the Wizards will choose between Dybantsa and another elite prospect at the very top. The Utah Jazz hold the No. 2 pick, making them the other likely landing spot for the BYU phenom.
Dybantsa’s freshman season at BYU matched the massive hype surrounding him. The 6-foot-9 forward averaged 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists while shooting 51.0% from the field. His two-way production keeps him firmly in the conversation for the No. 1 overall pick.
The 2026 draft class is considered unusually deep, with prospects like Kansas guard Darryn Peterson, Duke forward Cameron Boozer, Caleb Wilson, Kingston Flemings, Jayden Quaintance, Keaton Wagler, and Mikel Brown Jr. all drawing first-round attention. Yet the top of the draft appears clearly defined by Dybantsa, Peterson, and Boozer.
Washington’s win adds drama to the selection process. The Wizards finished with the league’s worst record at 17-65 and now have a chance to add a franchise cornerstone after years of rebuilding. Utah sits at No. 2, ready to capitalize if the board shifts.
The NBA Draft is scheduled for June 23-24 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Early indications suggest Washington’s lottery victory may have determined the most talked-about pick of the summer.
