The Washington Wizards might have just found their franchise cornerstone. After winning the NBA Draft Lottery on Sunday, the Wizards wasted no time in getting to know the projected No. 1 pick, BYU freshman AJ Dybantsa.
While Dybantsa's reaction to the lottery results wasn't exactly a celebration, the 6-foot-9 forward is now the clear frontrunner to hear his name called first on June 23. The Wizards interviewed the standout at the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago on Tuesday, and general manager Will Dawkins didn't hold back his praise.
"We got to interview him today, we'll spend a little bit more time with him, hopefully in D.C.," Dawkins told ESPN. "A true talent at the top of the draft."
That talent was on full display this season at BYU, where Dybantsa put up eye-popping numbers: 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. He's the kind of versatile, high-motor player who can change the trajectory of a franchise, and the Wizards are clearly intrigued.
Dawkins, a Springfield, Massachusetts native, shares a home-state connection with Dybantsa, who hails from Brockton. That familiarity has given the Wizards' front office a unique perspective on the young star's journey.
"Yeah, Massachusetts guy just like myself," Dawkins said. "So you can imagine since 14 years old, we've been hearing he's the next one out of our state. So know AJ, his family, just from being in Massachusetts basketball. The guy has a charisma to him, he's got a confidence to him. He's been able to do it at every level that he's stepped at, increase his play. And when you talk about basketball, he can score it, he can defend, he's long, he can make plays for others, he's a high-level talent."
Pairing Dybantsa with established stars like Anthony Davis and Trae Young could give Washington a dynamic core for years to come. But the decision isn't set in stone just yet. Most mock drafts, including ESPN's, have the Wizards taking Dybantsa first overall, but Kansas guard Darryn Peterson is also firmly in the conversation.
"There's still a lot of tough decisions to make and it's not a no-brainer at No. 1," ESPN's Jay Bilas noted during the lottery broadcast. "AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson, that's going to be a tough decision for Washington. We have some years where you say it's a no-brainer, this isn't one of them."
The Utah Jazz hold the second pick, followed by the Memphis Grizzlies at No. 3. For now, all eyes are on Washington as they weigh their options—but Dybantsa's combination of skill, size, and confidence makes him a tantalizing prospect to lead the next era of Wizards basketball.