AJ Dybantsa is widely expected to be selected first overall in the 2026 NBA Draft, following the Washington Wizards winning the lottery on Sunday. As NBA organizations and fans look forward to one of the deepest draft classes in recent memory, the BYU freshman wing has begun to separate himself as the top candidate.
At multiple sportsbooks, Dybantsa is the clear favorite to go No. 1 despite a talented group of prospects also projected in the top five. DraftKings lists the 6-foot-9 wing at -400 to be the top pick, while FanDuel has him at -500 after an outstanding freshman season at BYU. He led all Division I scorers in his lone year with the Cougars, posting averages of 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game while guiding the team to the NCAA Tournament. Known for his polished scoring, two-way versatility, and untapped potential, Dybantsa appears ready to become a franchise cornerstone.
**Washington or Utah?**
With the Wizards holding the No. 1 pick, selecting Dybantsa makes strong team-building sense. Washington traded for veterans Anthony Davis and Trae Young at the deadline, though both spent significant time recovering from injuries while the team focused on developing younger talent. A healthy Davis and Young, combined with the 2026 top pick, could propel the Wizards to their first playoff appearance since 2021. *The Athletic*’s Sam Vecenie projects Dybantsa to Washington at No. 1 in his latest mock draft.
An intriguing twist is that the Utah Jazz own the No. 2 pick. Dybantsa played his final high school season at Utah Prep Academy and then spent his freshman college year at BYU, giving him a strong local connection. Jazz executive Danny Ainge is known for bold draft moves—while with the Celtics, he famously traded down from No. 1 to No. 3 in 2017, landing Jayson Tatum. Ainge could now look to trade up for Dybantsa. According to NBA Insider Jake Fischer, both the Wizards and Jazz are open to trade discussions. Wizards president Michael Winger told Fischer the team will “at least consider trading down” over the next two months. Regardless of a potential deal, Dybantsa remains the frontrunner to be picked first at the end of June.
**Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer Still in the Mix**
While Dybantsa leads the odds, several other elite prospects could challenge for the top spot. Darryn Peterson and Cameron Boozer are among the next tier of potential future All-Stars, keeping the draft picture intriguing as the process unfolds.