Wizards take AJ Dybantsa first in 2026 NBA Draft
Washington selected the 19-year-old BYU forward at No. 1, with Darryn Peterson and Cameron Boozer following in the top three.
By Daniel Okafor · Business Editor
2 min read
The Washington Wizards used the first pick in the 2026 NBA Draft on AJ Dybantsa, adding a 6-foot-9 forward who spent one season at Brigham Young University, Agence France-Presse reported. The choice puts one of youth basketball’s leading prospects at the center of Washington’s next NBA chapter.
Dybantsa, 19, was selected Tuesday at Barclays Center in New York, according to AFP. He played 35 games as a starter for BYU in 2025-26 and averaged 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists.
Speaking to ESPN after the pick, Dybantsa called the moment meaningful but framed it as the start of a longer climb. “Obviously, it’s just a stepping stone, and I have a lot more work to do,” he said, adding that the selection reflected “hard work and discipline” and sacrifices he had made.
AFP reported that Dybantsa also built a strong record before college. He helped the United States win the 2025 FIBA Under-19 World Cup and was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.
Peterson goes second to Utah
The Utah Jazz followed by taking Kansas guard Darryn Peterson with the second selection, AFP reported. Peterson, listed at 6-foot-6, also entered the draft after one college season.
At Kansas, Peterson averaged 20.2 points, according to AFP. The report described him as a natural scorer and said he is viewed as a fit beside Keyonte George as Utah tries to build after a 22-60 season.
Memphis selects Boozer at No. 3
The Memphis Grizzlies chose Duke forward Cameron Boozer with the third pick, AFP reported. Boozer, 18, was the consensus national player of the year after one season with the Blue Devils.
Boozer averaged 22.5 points in 38 starts at Duke, according to AFP. The 6-foot-9 prospect is the son of Carlos Boozer, a two-time NBA All-Star who played 13 seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Utah Jazz, Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers.
AFP reported that many evaluators regarded Cameron Boozer as the most naturally gifted player in the draft, citing his all-court skills and strength. His college season ended in March after he suffered multiple fractures around his right eye during Duke’s 73-72 loss to the University of Connecticut in the Elite Eight.
After his selection, Boozer told ESPN the moment brought “a lot of happiness and joy.” Sitting with his parents and brothers, he credited his family for helping him reach the NBA.
“As a family sitting here, I wouldn’t be here without these guys sitting right here,” Boozer told ESPN. “It’s just a great feeling to be here with them. They’ve been there with me every step of the way.”
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.