AJ Dybantsa walked on stage to begin his NBA career as the Washington Wizards made him the top overall pick in Tuesday night's draft, bringing elite offensive firepower to a franchise that has waited over a decade for its next franchise centerpiece.
The BYU freshman became the first of eight consecutive college underclassmen taken to open the selection. Dybantsa averaged 25.5 points per game in his lone season in Provo, including a 43-point explosion that set a school scoring record for a freshman. At 6-foot-9 and 217 pounds, scouts have drawn comparisons to Kevin Durant, who happens to be Dybantsa's favorite player.
After his name was called, Dybantsa appeared to pause for a quick prayer before joining Commissioner Adam Silver at the podium. He donned the black Wizards cap with visible pleasure, an immediate visual cementing the franchise's investment.
The choice capped a debate that dominated the pre-draft process. Kansas freshman Darryn Peterson, selected second by Utah, entered the offseason with strong arguments for the top slot. Peterson's tantalizing skill set as a guard caught scouts' attention, but missed time due to injuries and illness during the season gave evaluators pause. Dybantsa's injury-free, prolific campaign ultimately won out.
Memphis took Duke's Cameron Boozer at No. 3 after his one-and-done season in which he averaged 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game. The Chicago Bulls selected North Carolina freshman Caleb Wilson with the fourth pick, keeping the early selections within the expected tier of talent.
Uncertainty began to creep in at No. 5 when the Los Angeles Clippers, operating with rights acquired from Indiana, selected Illinois guard Keaton Wagler. The home-standing Brooklyn Nets responded by picking Louisville's Mikel Brown Jr. with the sixth pick, a selection that drew applause from fans still processing a miserable season. Brown had posted a 45-point performance during the college season before a back injury limited his availability.
Sacramento took Darius Acuff Jr. at No. 7 as the guard-heavy trend continued, while Atlanta moved to No. 8 with Kingston Flemings. Dallas then shifted strategy with Morez Johnson Jr. from Michigan, creating a reunion of sorts. Johnson's former Michigan teammates Yaxel Lendeborg and Aday Mara watched from the green room as he embraced his current coach, Dusty May, who just left the Wolverines to take the Mavericks job.
For the Wizards, Dybantsa represents their first No. 1 overall selection since John Wall in 2010, who became an All-Star. The franchise's previous top pick came in 2001 when it selected Kwame Brown, a cautionary tale that hangs over every Washington draft room. The comparisons to Durant, a Washington-area native himself, give Wizards fans hope that this time proves different.
Author James Rodriguez: "Dybantsa's volume scoring in college is undeniable, but the NBA will be a different test entirely. The Durant comparisons are flattering but premature, and Washington can't afford another misstep at the top of the draft."
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