AJ to DC: The Wizards select BYU’s Dybantsa with the first overall pick in the NBA draft

On Tuesday night, as the clock counted down to the announcement of the NBA draft’s first pick, AJ Dybantsa’s father held his phone.

He received no advance warning to brace himself for the news. He was eagerly anticipating the announcement from NBA commissioner Adam Silver about whether the Washington Wizards would choose him with the first pick. “When they said the pick was in, I was hoping it was me,” Dybantsa shared during the ESPN broadcast.

The news aligned perfectly with Dybantsa’s vision, as Washington chose the BYU forward with the No. 1 overall pick, while Kansas guard Darryn Peterson was selected second overall by the Utah Jazz during the events in New York.

The 6-foot-9 Dybantsa topped the nation in scoring with an impressive average of 25.5 points per game during his single college season and is poised to make an immediate impact. “This selection means a lot,” Dybantsa expressed upon being selected first in the draft. It serves as a stepping stone. Clearly, I have much more work ahead of me.

This marks the third occasion that Washington has secured the No. 1 overall pick. The Wizards chose Kwame Brown in 2001 and John Wall in 2010.

Dybantsa is the first BYU player to receive the first overall selection.

He expressed his desire to be a game-changer for a Washington franchise that has recorded victory totals of 17, 18, and 15 over the past three seasons, missing the playoffs for five straight years. “They are acquiring a highly versatile player,” Dybantsa remarked about himself. I am ready to take on various roles and defend different positions, doing whatever is necessary to achieve victory.

The Jazz have a strong lineup of frontcourt players, so bringing in Peterson strengthens the backcourt.

Peterson shared that his father consistently told him he would eventually become a top NBA draft choice. “Honestly, I didn’t believe it, but my pops always knew,” Peterson remarked. As I grew older, I began to embrace it fully. Every effort proved to be worthwhile.

Peterson averaged 20.2 points last season; however, he missed 11 of the Jayhawks’ 35 games and exited early in others due to noticeable injuries, including cramping.

Dybantsa and Peterson initiated a sequence of eight consecutive freshmen to kick off the draft.

The Memphis Grizzlies selected Duke forward Cameron Boozer as the third overall pick. He averaged 22.5 points and 10.2 rebounds last season for the Blue Devils. “As it happens, just enjoy,” Boozer stated. This moment encapsulates my entire existence in just a few seconds. It is truly remarkable.

Boozer’s father, Carlos, was once a standout player for Utah and currently holds a position in the team’s front office. The primary responsibility of his role with the Jazz involves assessing NBA draft prospects.

The Chicago Bulls selected forward Caleb Wilson from North Carolina with the fourth pick. Wilson averaged 19.8 points and 9.4 rebounds during his single season in college. “That kid arrived here through hard work, self-belief, and an excellent support system,” Wilson remarked about being selected No. 4.

The subsequent four selections consisted of guards, starting with the Los Angeles Clippers choosing Keaton Wagler from Illinois.

Wagler averaged 17.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 4.2 assists as a standout freshman, having been significantly overlooked as a high school prospect. “I think it’s just all the hard work I put in,” Wagler stated. I focused on being authentic and didn’t let others’ opinions affect me.

The Brooklyn Nets selected Mikel Brown Jr. from Louisville with the sixth overall pick. Brown averaged 18.2 points and 4.7 assists, although he played only 21 games due to injuries and recorded a 3-point shooting percentage of 34.4%.

Arkansas point guard Darius Acuff Jr. was selected seventh overall by the Sacramento Kings. He averaged 23.5 points and 6.4 assists, becoming only the second player in history to lead the Southeastern Conference in both scoring and assists in the same season, joining LSU legend Pete Maravich (1969-70).

The Atlanta Hawks selected Houston point guard Kingston Flemings with the eighth overall pick. He recorded an average of 16.1 points and 5.2 assists.

The Dallas Mavericks officially announced the appointment of Dusty May as head coach on Tuesday afternoon and subsequently chose forward Morez Johnson Jr., a pivotal player from May’s championship team at Michigan. Johnson averaged 13.1 points and 7.3 rebounds. “It’s his second day,” Johnson, the first non-freshman pick, said of May. I believe it played a minor role, but not significantly. It’s quite astonishing. We achieved victory together this past season, and I eagerly anticipate winning alongside him when I arrive.

The Milwaukee Bucks have reportedly traded two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat in exchange for four players and three first-round draft picks, which includes this year’s 13th overall pick, allowing them to have two selections within a four-pick span. The Bucks selected Arizona guard Brayden Burries with the No. 10 pick. Burries averaged 16.1 points and 4.9 rebounds.

Two other prominent figures from Michigan were selected at No. 11 and No. 12. Forward Yaxel Lendeborg has joined the Warriors, while center Aday Mara has moved to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Milwaukee returned to the No. 13 spot and utilized the pick acquired from Miami to select Tennessee forward Nate Ament. The Charlotte Hornets chose Washington’s rebounding powerhouse Hannes Steinbach, who averaged an impressive 11.8 rebounds per game, with the 14th pick. Meanwhile, the Bulls selected Texas guard Dailyn Swain at the 15th spot.

The Memphis Grizzlies executed two trades during the middle of the round, allowing them to move back five spots while acquiring five future second-round draft picks.

The Oklahoma City Thunder advanced one position by appealing to Memphis with two second-round picks in the transaction, ultimately securing Iowa point guard Bennett Stirtz at No. 16.

The Grizzlies subsequently traded the No. 17 pick to the Pistons in exchange for the No. 21 spot and obtained three second-round selections. Detroit selected Stanford guard Ebuka Okorie with that pick.

At No. 21, Memphis selected the premier international prospect, forward Karim Lopez from Mexico. Lopez has played at a professional level for the New Zealand Breakers.

In the late rounds of the draft, Alabama guard Labaron Philon Jr. was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers at No. 22, Iowa State forward Joshua Jefferson was picked 28th by the Minnesota Timberwolves, and UConn forward Alex Karaban was chosen 29th by the Cleveland Cavaliers. Arizona forward Koa Peat was selected as the 30th and final pick of the round.