Every step of AJ Dybantsa’s basketball career has been carefully calculated with his individual development in mind.
That’s why he attended three different high schools, where he was able to face better competition and gain experience in various roles on the field.
That’s why he played for Kevin Young at BYU, where he could operate within an NBA-inspired offensive system and become a top draft pick.
When the Washington Wizards selected him No. 1 in the NBA draft in June, it was the first time Dybantsa couldn’t specifically choose where he played. But the 19-year-old phenom couldn’t be happier to land in Washington, D.C., where he feels primed to continue improving.
“I feel like there’s not a lot of pressure on me because I have a really good team around me,” Dybantsa told reporters at the Wizards’ media day on Monday. “A lot of No. 1 picks find themselves in a situation where, you know, it’s them, it’s all kind of centered around them.
“But I have All-Stars and Hall of Famers on my team that I can really gain knowledge from, (like) Khris Middleton, Trae Young, (Anthony Davis), DeAndre Ayton, so I don’t have to come in and carry this huge load.
“I think I can just bond with these guys and learn it slowly and learn how to play the right way instead of finding myself in a situation where I have a lot on my back.”
Washington’s veterans feel almost perfectly suited to mentor Dybantsa. Davis and Ayton were each No. 1 picks. Young entered the NBA after leading the nation in scoring as a freshman. Middleton has been a versatile wing with strong midrange and playmaking abilities. Dybantsa can certainly relate.
But Davis is now an all-time NBA great with a long list of accolades. Young is a proven, high-volume scorer, and Middleton has become a 40% 3-point shooter despite being average behind the arc in college. Young carried a team to the conference finals, Ayton appeared in 10 playoff series and Davis and Middleton were key contributors on championship teams.
For everything Dybantsa wants to accomplish and every area he wants to improve, he has a veteran teammate to guide him.
“I’m just very lucky to be in this situation…I can learn how to play properly right away,” Dybantsa said.
“Just having these guys who have been in the league, who have won championships, who have been on All-Star teams, who are first-ballot Hall of Famers, so I can have conversations with them in the locker room, talk to them on the phone, it’s going to be super beneficial to me and my career.”
Dybantsa’s NBA career officially begins on October 21, as the Wizards host the Milwaukee Bucks in their regular season opener. However, in his short professional career, he has already earned the respect of the aforementioned veterans.
“He’s going to have a target on his back, everyone’s going to want to go after him, and he’s ready for that,” Davis said of Dybantsa. “He has all the tools to succeed in this league. He’s a very special talent, he can defend, he can make any shot… He works very hard. He listens. He’s dedicated and motivated.”
Even though Dybantsa doesn’t feel any pressure, expectations for the new-look Wizards should be higher than they have been in years. Washington hasn’t made the playoffs since 2021, hasn’t had a winning season since 2018 and hasn’t won 50 games since 1979.
But Dybantsa, Davis, Young and the rest of the Wizards’ young core believe they are in the midst of a “culture shift,” and that the franchise’s fortunes will soon return to NBA relevance and beyond.
And that’s what matters most to Dybantsa.
“We want to play competitive basketball this year,” Dybantsa said. “It’s a season of growth. We definitely want to add some wins to the book, we’re here to win games. (The fans) have been looking for success for a long time and they’re loyal.
“…My personal goals come from the team’s success. As long as we’re winning games, we’re good. Just being there for the community, being there for the kids, they show us a lot of love, and we’re going to show them a lot of love back.”
Gn sports
