Two things could be true for BYU star and NBA draft prospect AJ Dybantsa right now. Some hold to the idea that he was flashing a poker face at the NBA draft lottery and would have appeared as nonplussed at the announcement of the number-one pick, no matter its owner. Others believe that he was sincerely disappointed to learn that the Utah Jazz wouldn't be selecting him after spending his high school and college years in the Beehive State.
Both could be true, of course, but recent interviews have made his priorities perfectly clear: being drafted number-one overall matters to AJ, and he's all-in with the Washington Wizards.
"I haven't been ranked less than one since ESPN rankings came out," Dybantsa shared in an appearance on NBA Radio. "In 9th grade, I was one, and I never dropped. One has just always been my goal. To even accomplish that would even be a blessing."
"[Playing for Washington] would be great. Any opportunity is special in the NBA, and I don't want to take that opportunity for granted. [...] I like DC."
AJ Dybantsa on potentially being picked first and going to the Wizards:
— WizardsMuse (@WizardsMuse1) June 14, 2026
"I haven't been ranked less than one since ESPN rankings came out, #1 is my goal... DC is a great city, it would be great, I like DC" 🔥 pic.twitter.com/oJlIegeLor
Nothing personal, Utahns.
This answer from Dybantsa is reflective of his character -- AJ is a competitor above all else. He's been the number-one player in his class since he was eligible to play in high school as a freshman, and he's never dropped from that spot (save for the one odd ranking that jumped Darryn Peterson above Dybantsa for the top spot, but we honor 247's rankings in this house).
Everything about Dybantsa is driven by the desire to be the best -- to outwork, outperform, and outdo his peers in every category in an effort to ultimately top the list.
And though the Wizards have held their cards close to the vest as far as their preferred candidate for the number one pick, which has boiled down to Dybantsa as the favorite, with Peterson as the next likely consideration, and Cameron Boozer as the dark horse and analytics darling.
On top of Dybantsa's ability, he fits most comfortably within Washington's current makeup. Trae Young would eat into Peterson's usage in the back court; Anthony Davis likewise opposite Cameron Boozer in the front court.
By all appearances, Dybantsa is the guy for the Wizards, so long as Washington can keep their head on straight.
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