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Wizards Grab No. 1 Pick, Target AJ Dybantsa

6/22/2026

39 9 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Washington Wizards won the lottery and will select first overall, likely AJ Dybantsa.
The draft will take place at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, with Round 1 on June 23 and Round 2 on June 24.
Top prospects include BYU forward AJ Dybantsa, Kansas guard Darryn Peterson, Duke forward Cameron Boozer, and UNC forward Caleb Wilson.
Analysts flag bust risks for Tennessee freshman Nate Ament and Kentucky forward Jayden Quaintance.

History

Historical Context

The NBA introduced its first draft lottery in 1985 to curb tanking, giving each of the seven non-playoff teams a 1-in-7 (?14%) chance at the top pick. The New York Knicks won that lottery and selected Patrick Ewing, while the Washington Bullets did not receive the first pick. The Wizards’ 2024 top-slot win echoes that original lottery era, reviving hopes of a franchise-changing selection.

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Story summary

Washington Wizards won the lottery and will select first overall, likely AJ Dybantsa.
The draft will take place at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, with Round 1 on June 23 and Round 2 on June 24.
Top prospects include BYU forward AJ Dybantsa, Kansas guard Darryn Peterson, Duke forward Cameron Boozer, and UNC forward Caleb Wilson.
Analysts flag bust risks for Tennessee freshman Nate Ament and Kentucky forward Jayden Quaintance.

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