BYU superstar AJ Dybantsa makes history as he's picked No. 1 overall by Washington Wizards in 2026 NBA Draft... beating out rival Darryn Peterson

The Washington Wizards have selected BYU star AJ Dybantsa with the first overall pick of the 2026 NBA Draft.

The forward led the nation in scoring during his sole college season, averaging 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists across 35 games for BYU.

The selection - made at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York - makes Dybantsa the first player in BYU history to be taken first overall in the NBA Draft.

'It just means a lot,' Dybantsa told ESPN's Lisa Salters, seated alongside his sisters after being picked, who praised his work ethic. 'I have a lot more work to do.'

He arrives in Washington to join current stars Trae Young and Anthony Davis. The Wizards - who have not won a title since 1978 - will be banking on all three to finally drag the franchise back into relevance in the near future.

The Wizards finished last season with a 17-65 record - their worst in decades - and have not made the playoffs since 2021. But with Young having signed a four-year, $212 million extension just 24 hours before the draft, and Davis committed to the franchise, there is genuine belief in Washington that a playoff push is not far away.

Young himself said recently: 'Imagine the Wizards as the No.1 team in the East next year. Trust me, I'm probably just entering my prime.'

Dybantsa, who is also a three-time gold medallist with USA Basketball, gives that project a potential superstar to build around for the next decade.

At 6ft 9in with a seven-foot wingspan and a scorer's instinct that scouts have likened to Tracy McGrady, Dybantsa is the kind of talent that can invigorate a franchise.

Holding the second pick, the Utah Jazz opted for Kansas guard Darryn Peterson.

The 6ft 4in guard was the top-ranked recruit in the country by 247Sports coming out of high school and averaged 20.2 points at Kansas, though injury and illness limited him to 24 of a possible 35 games during his freshman season.

The Memphis Grizzlies, picking third, took Duke forward Cameron Boozer - son of former NBA star Carlos Boozer. The 6ft 8in freshman averaged 22.5 points and 10.2 rebounds at Duke, earning AP National Player of the Year honours.

The Chicago Bulls rounded out the top four by selecting North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson with the fourth pick. The 6ft 8in freshman is one of the most athletic players in this year's Draft class, though his college season was cut short by injury.

The Los Angeles Clippers took Georgia Tech guard Keaton Wagler with the fifth pick.

A crafty scorer with a strong feel for the game, Wagler was the overwhelming favourite for the Clippers’ selection throughout the pre-draft process.

More to follow...