Washington Wizards pick AJ Dybantsa No.1, Utah Jazz select Darryn Peterson No.2 in 2026 NBA Draft

The 2026 NBA Draft opened with the Washington Wizards choosing BYU forward AJ Dybantsa as the first overall pick. Dybantsa, who was drafted after a notable season, expressed his gratitude on social media, saying, "It just means a lot…a testament to all my hard work and the discipline and sacrifices that I make." In the second slot, the Utah Jazz selected former Kansas star Darryn Peterson, who thanked Adidas for its support, stating, "I am grateful for the belief and trust that Adidas has in me."

Fans and commentators on Twitter celebrated the selections, highlighting the Utah connection for both players and the historic nature of the draft for BYU. The event was held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn and broadcast on ABC and ESPN, with a second‑round slate that could see BYU teammate Richie Saunders become the first player from the university drafted in the first two rounds since 1982, pending his recovery from a torn ACL.

The draft generated extensive online discussion, with reactions ranging from excitement for the Jazz’s future to speculation about the impact of the new Adidas partnership on Peterson’s career.