Dybantsa says he learned of his No. 1 selection in real time with the Wizards

AJ Dybantsa was selected No. 1 overall by the Washington Wizards. The new top pick said he had no advance warning of the decision, learning of it the same moment the public did. He now becomes the centerpiece of Washington's rebuild heading into the 2026 season.

The Washington Wizards selected AJ Dybantsa with the No. 1 overall pick, landing the franchise cornerstone they spent the offseason chasing. By Dybantsa's own account, the moment arrived without warning — he found out alongside everyone watching.

What happened

Dybantsa was chosen first overall by Washington, the headline outcome of a draft the Wizards had built their entire offseason around. Asked about the moment, he described being completely in the dark until his name was called. "I found out when y'all found out," he said. "I didn't get a call, my dad had my phone the whole time."

Why it matters

The top selection hands Washington a foundational young talent to anchor a rebuild that has been the central project of the franchise. Securing the No. 1 pick was the centerpiece of the Wizards' offseason, and the payoff now has a name. Dybantsa becomes the face of that effort heading into the 2026 season.

What to watch next

Attention turns to how Washington integrates Dybantsa into its rotation and what kind of role he assumes as the team enters the new season. His Summer League debut will provide the first on-court look at the new No. 1 pick. How quickly he settles into the lineup will shape the early read on the franchise's direction.