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Wizards eye AJ Dybantsa No. 1; Spurs pick Saunders

6/23/2026

41 9 Full Breakdown

Summary

Wizards Pick Dybantsa

Wizards likely pick AJ Dybantsa No. 1 on June 23, 2026.
Dybantsa posted 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 51% shooting and a 42-inch vertical, and Kalshi gave him an 85% chance to be top pick.
The Wizards extended Trae Young, creating a frontcourt pairing with Dybantsa.
The San Antonio Spurs drafted ACL-torn forward Richie Saunders at No. 35, noting his 33% three-point rate, size and scoring despite defensive gaps.

Summary

Dybantsa Diet Gains

Dybantsa told Stephen A. Smith he added 8.5 lb, now 219-220 lb, on a brown-rice, asparagus, chicken diet.
Betting markets price Dybantsa at -550 to be No. 1, while Darius Acuff Jr. is 180-1/250-1.
He clarified that a Father’s Day photo at the White House was random, not a draft signal.
He called the pre-draft process a “whirlwind” and said being No. 1 his whole life fuels his drive.

Summary

Carmelo Warns

Carmelo Anthony told AJ Dybantsa “you don’t know what’s about to happen” in a 7 PM Brooklyn podcast interview.
He warned the 19-year-old that the crown is heavy and draft-day stress can affect anyone.
He urged Dybantsa to enjoy each stage, from the draft through Summer League and preseason.
Anthony, the No. 3 pick in the 2003 draft, said the class could be the most talked-about since LeBron James.

History

Historical Context

On June 26, 2003 the NBA draft at Madison Square Garden gave lottery winner Cleveland the first pick, which they used on LeBron James. The draft featured 31 international early-entry candidates and four of its top-five picks—James, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade—become All-Stars and Olympic gold medalists. In 2026 Kalshi analysts pricing AJ Dybantsa cite that same hype and mentorship model.

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Wizards Pick Dybantsa

Wizards likely pick AJ Dybantsa No. 1 on June 23, 2026.
Dybantsa posted 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 51% shooting and a 42-inch vertical, and Kalshi gave him an 85% chance to be top pick.
The Wizards extended Trae Young, creating a frontcourt pairing with Dybantsa.
The San Antonio Spurs drafted ACL-torn forward Richie Saunders at No. 35, noting his 33% three-point rate, size and scoring despite defensive gaps.

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