AJ Dybantsa shines in Washington Wizards preseason debut

AJ Dybantsa made a strong preseason debut for the Washington Wizards in a 111-109 victory over the New York Knicks. The 19-year-old rookie, selected as the number one overall pick in the NBA draft, recorded 11 points, two rebounds, two assists, and four steals in 23 minutes of play.

Dybantsa specifically highlighted his defensive improvements, noting that while he was perceived as “a bit lazy” during his college career at BYU, he intends to play with more heart and engagement at the professional level. His defensive activity, including cutting passing lanes and forcing turnovers, was praised by Wizards head coach Brian Keefe.

On the offensive side, Dybantsa shot 5-of-11 from the field but struggled from beyond the arc, missing all three of his three-point attempts. He played alongside teammates such as Trae Young, Anthony Davis, and Kyshawn George in the reconstructed Wizards lineup.