- How did AJ Dybantsa go from a C-minus sixth-grader to the No. 1 NBA Draft pick?
- Ace Dybantsa enforced a strict regimen—two-a-day workouts, film study before homework, and video-game bans until grades improved—after seeing AJ struggle academically and athletically in sixth grade. The discipline carried through high school at Utah Prep and into a standout BYU career that earned him All-American honors.
- Which team drafted AJ Dybantsa, and what pick was he?
- The Washington Wizards selected Dybantsa with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, making him the first BYU player ever taken first and Washington’s new franchise cornerstone.
- What were AJ Dybantsa’s key stats at BYU?
- In his senior season, Dybantsa averaged 21.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game, leading BYU to its first NCAA Tournament win in 14 years and earning consensus All-American honors.
- How did the Wizards land the No. 1 pick?
- Washington acquired the top pick in a pre-draft trade with Detroit, swapping future second-round selections. Scouts initially projected Dybantsa as a late-lottery talent, but Washington cited his intangibles as the deciding factor.
- What sacrifices did the Dybantsa family make for AJ’s career?
- Ace Dybantsa estimated the family spent $45,000 on private-school tuition at Utah Prep and sacrificed two years of AJ’s AAU exposure to prioritize discipline and competition. The move was made to instill a winning culture and stricter academic standards.
- What’s next for AJ Dybantsa and the Washington Wizards?
- Dybantsa will join Washington’s Las Vegas Summer League as the franchise’s new face. A three-year, $110 million rookie scale extension is reportedly in the works, pending a physical, as the Wizards aim to build around their top pick.
