What happened: Dybantsa enters 2026-27 as the top selection in the 2026 draft from BYU. Washington opens against Milwaukee at 7 p.m. ET.

Why it matters: Washington has not reached the conference finals since 1979 and tasked its top pick with reviving the franchise. His opening-night role sets the baseline for minutes and responsibility on a rebuilding roster.

What to watch: His minutes load, defensive assignments and first-night rotation pattern come next.