AJ Dybantsa selected No. 1 overall by Washington Wizards

Brockton, Massachusetts native AJ Dybantsa was chosen No. 1 overall in the 2026 NBA draft by the Washington Wizards, becoming the first Massachusetts‑born player to go first since Patrick Ewing in 1985. Dybantsa entered the draft after a single season at Brigham Young University, where he led the nation in scoring with 25.5 points per game and set a BYU freshman scoring record.

His parents, Ace and Chelsea Dybantsa, described the selection night as “miraculous,” saying they had known their son would achieve the dream of a top pick. The family plans to celebrate locally, with Dybantsa slated to throw the first pitch at Fenway Park before the Red Sox‑Yankees game.

The Wizards' selection follows a draft that tied the record for eight consecutive college freshmen taken at the start of the first round. Dybantsa’s selection marks a historic moment for Massachusetts basketball and sets high expectations for his rookie season in Washington.