What happened: The NBA spotlighted Anicet Dybantsa Jr. and his father, Anicet Sr., during the 2026 NBA Draft. The younger Dybantsa, widely known as AJ, was the headliner of the class after going off the board at the top of the first round as the No. 1 overall pick.

Why it matters: Draft night is the payoff for years of family sacrifice, and the Dybantsas turning it into a shared celebration underscores the support system behind the top selection. For a player arriving with No. 1 expectations, that grounding matters as he steps into a franchise-cornerstone role.

What to watch: Attention now shifts to Summer League and training camp, where Dybantsa begins his transition to the pro game ahead of the 2026-27 season.