The countdown is officially on. In just 44 days, AJ Dybantsa will hear his name called at the NBA Draft—and now, we might already know where he's headed.
The Washington Wizards won Sunday's NBA draft lottery, securing the No. 1 overall pick for the third time in franchise history. After finishing a league-worst 17-65 this season, the Wizards were tied with the Indiana Pacers and Brooklyn Nets for the best lottery odds, each holding a 14% chance at the top spot. Washington is the first team since 2018 to both lead the NBA in losses and win the lottery.
All eyes are now on BYU's AJ Dybantsa, the nation's leading scorer (25.5 points per game) and a First Team All-American. The 6-foot-9 wing is widely regarded as the top prospect in this year's draft class, making him the presumed favorite for Washington's No. 1 pick. Both ESPN and Yahoo have already projected Dybantsa to the Wizards in their post-lottery mock drafts.
Not everyone is on board, though. Jonathan Givony of Draft Express has Kansas guard Darryn Peterson going first overall, with Dybantsa slipping to second for the Utah Jazz. But Dybantsa himself seems ready for the challenge. "I think I'm pretty versatile and adaptable, so I think I can play anywhere," he told Wizards insider Chase Hughes at the lottery.
Dybantsa also mentioned he already knows several Wizards players, including veteran All-Stars Trae Young and Anthony Davis, who were acquired by Washington before the trade deadline. Due to injuries, Young played just five games for the Wizards in 2026, while Davis has yet to suit up. Despite their recent struggles—the team hasn't posted a 50-win season since 1979—the Wizards are viewed as a franchise on the rise, especially after hiring a former Oklahoma City Thunder executive to lead their front office.
Whether Dybantsa ends up in D.C. or elsewhere, one thing is certain: draft night is going to be unforgettable.