Who Is Aj Dybantsa Wizards Select Towering Teenager With No 1 Pick In Nba Draft

Washington Wizards launched a new era by selecting Anicet 'AJ' Dybantsa Jr. with the first overall pick in Tuesday's NBA Draft, placing its future in the hands of one of basketball's brightest young stars. The 19-year-old forward, standing 6ft 8in (2.03m), arrives in the NBA after spending only one season at Brigham Young University. Despite his short college career, Dybantsa established himself as the standout prospect in this year's class through a combination of scoring ability, athleticism and all-around play.During the 2025-26 campaign with BYU, Dybantsa produced impressive numbers, averaging 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists over 35 appearances. His offensive production and versatility made him one of the most closely watched players in college basketball. His rise had begun long before reaching the college level. Dybantsa built an elite reputation through youth competition and further strengthened it on the international stage in 2025 when he guided the United States to victory at the FIBA Under-19 World Cup. His performances throughout the tournament earned him the Most Valuable Player award. It means a lot, Dybantsa told ESPN, as quoted by AFP, soon after his selection. Obviously it's just a stepping stone and I have a lot more work to do. But it's a testament to all my hard work and discipline and the sacrifices that I've made, he added.A dynamic wing prospect with elite athleticism and advanced shot-making skills, Dybantsa consistently creates separation and offensive opportunities off the dribble. His smooth ball-handling ability allows him to attack defenses effectively, while his evolving playmaking instincts continue to add value to his game. Defensively, he offers versatility and possesses the physical tools, mobility, and instincts needed to guard multiple positions across the floor.Dybantsa collected several major honors during his standout season, including the Julius Erving Award, first-team consensus All-American recognition, Big 12 Freshman of the Year honors, and the NCAA scoring title.The Utah Jazz followed by selecting Kansas guard Darryn Peterson with the second overall choice. Peterson, a 6ft 6in scorer, also entered the draft after just one year in college basketball. He averaged 20.2 points during his lone season at Kansas and has developed a reputation as a player capable of creating offense naturally and consistently. Utah views him as a key piece alongside Keyonte George as the franchise works to recover from a difficult 22-60 season and continue its rebuilding effort.With the third pick, the Memphis Grizzlies selected Cameron Boozer, who had been considered by many evaluators to be among the most complete and naturally gifted talents available. The 18-year-old forward carries a familiar basketball surname as the son of former NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer, who spent 13 seasons in the league and played for Cleveland, Utah, Chicago and the Lakers.Boozer spent one season at Duke University, averaging 22.5 points across 38 starts. Standing 6ft 9in, he drew praise for combining size and strength with an advanced all-around game. His freshman season ended on a difficult note in March after suffering multiple fractures around his right eye during Duke's narrow 73-72 loss to Connecticut in the Elite Eight.