Wizards select Dybantsa at No. 1 as NBA Draft commences in Brooklyn
Utah Jazz choose Peterson at No. 2 while Washington accelerates rebuild following major contract extension.
The 2026 NBA Draft commenced in Brooklyn on Tuesday night, marking a pivotal moment for franchise restructuring across the league. The Washington Wizards selected AJ Dybantsa from BYU with the first overall pick, their first number one selection since 2010. The decision follows the recent signing of Trae Young to a four-year, $212 million extension, a move that influenced the organisation’s approach to the draft. Dybantsa joins a Washington core that includes Anthony Davis, Alex Sarr, Kyshawn George, Tre Johnson, Bilal Coulibaly, Bub Carrington, and Will Riley.
The Utah Jazz selected Darryn Peterson from Kansas with the second pick. The choice is viewed as a cleaner fit than alternatives such as Duke’s Cameron Boozer, with Peterson expected to slot in as the starting shooting guard alongside Keyonte George. The selection provides Utah with a potential 1A scoring option alongside existing stars Keyonte George, Lauri Markkanen, and Jaren Jackson Jr. Utah had conducted a recent visit to Peterson despite his challenging season at Kansas, where he missed 11 games due to cramping.
The 2026 draft class is characterised by significant depth at the point guard position. Several prospects are expected to be selected in the top 10, including Illinois’ Keaton Wagler, Arkansas’ Darius Acuff Jr., Houston’s Kingston Flemings, and Louisville’s Mikel Brown Jr. This structural depth is expected to influence early-round strategies for teams holding subsequent picks.
The Memphis Grizzlies and Chicago Bulls, holding the third and fourth picks respectively, are expected to target Duke’s Cameron Boozer and North Carolina’s Caleb Wilson. The Los Angeles Clippers hold the fifth pick, a selection that marks the start of significant Day 1 drama. CBS Sports is providing live team grades for all 30 teams during Round 1, with selections graded by Director of Basketball Scouting Adam Finkelstein.
Washington’s decision to select Dybantsa over Peterson represents a strategic pivot for the organisation, which has endured nearly 200 losses over the past three seasons. While Peterson might have been considered a better fit on paper for Washington, Dybantsa offers a different skill set with the upside to be a 1A in the NBA. The Wizards’ selection signals a new era for the franchise as it seeks to emerge from its rebuilding stage.
