AJ Dybantsa has been turning heads for years, but this week at the NBA Combine, the potential No. 1 pick made a confession that might sting a little for Boston fans: he's ready to hang up his Celtics jersey — figuratively speaking.
"This is my last year being a Celtics fan," Dybantsa said in Chicago. "I'm getting drafted this year, so — I mean, it might still be in me, but I won't definitely be a fan as much."
It's a tough but understandable shift for the Brockton, Massachusetts native. Growing up in the shadow of TD Garden, Dybantsa was a die-hard Celtics supporter. But with his name at the top of nearly every draft board, his allegiance is about to become a professional liability.
The 6-foot-9 forward, who starred at BYU this past season, has long been a household name in recruiting circles. He was the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2025 class and only built on that hype during his freshman year with the Cougars. Now, he's widely expected to hear his name called first overall in the 2026 NBA Draft.
And the team most likely to make that call? The Washington Wizards.
In Yahoo Sports' latest mock draft, Dybantsa is projected to land with the Wizards, who have made some serious noise this season by trading for veteran All-Stars Trae Young and Anthony Davis. That's a far cry from rooting for the Eastern Conference rival that knocked Washington out of the playoffs in a memorable Game 7 back in 2017.
When asked what it would mean to be the No. 1 pick, Dybantsa didn't hold back.
"It would mean a lot," he told The Athletic's Josh Robbins. "It would just mean that all of my hard work is paying off, and that all the countless hours and all the sacrifices that I made have paid off. And that's what I'm striving toward."
As for fitting in with the Wizards, Dybantsa was quick to paint a picture of a team on the rise. With a young core bolstered by two established stars, Washington looks like the perfect place for a top pick to make an immediate impact.
So while Boston may be losing a fan, the NBA is gaining a new star — and it won't be long before Dybantsa's loyalty is tested on the court.