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Wizards Hold No. 1 Pick, Eye BYU Star Dybantsa

6/24/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Washington Wizards hold the No. 1 pick in 2026 NBA Draft on June 23, 2026, with analysts expecting them to select BYU forward AJ Dybantsa.
The draft will begin at 7 p.m. CT for Round 1 and Round 2, with ESPN and ABC televising Round 1 and ESPN airing Round 2.
The top five order is Washington, Utah, Memphis, Chicago and Los Angeles Clippers while Philadelphia 76ers hold the 22nd pick acquired in February for guard Jared McCain.

History

Historical Context

On June 26, 2003 the NBA draft took place at Madison Square Garden, where the Cleveland Cavaliers, who held a 22.5 % lottery chance, selected high-school star LeBron James first overall. James sparked a franchise turnaround, a pattern the Washington Wizards hope to repeat after securing their seventh overall first pick—record among teams—in the 2026 draft to choose BYU forward AJ Dybantsa.

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Story summary

Washington Wizards hold the No. 1 pick in 2026 NBA Draft on June 23, 2026, with analysts expecting them to select BYU forward AJ Dybantsa.
The draft will begin at 7 p.m. CT for Round 1 and Round 2, with ESPN and ABC televising Round 1 and ESPN airing Round 2.
The top five order is Washington, Utah, Memphis, Chicago and Los Angeles Clippers while Philadelphia 76ers hold the 22nd pick acquired in February for guard Jared McCain.

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