AJ Dybantsa isn’t leaving room for doubt about where he expects to hear his name called on draft night. And he doesn’t really care if that sounds cocky.
The BYU star spoke with NBA TV just before the 2026 NBA Draft tipped off Tuesday night, and he made it clear that the No. 1 spot isn’t just a preference. It’s an expectation based on his entire basketball life to this point.
“I’ve been number one my whole life, so I don’t plan on dropping in this draft,” Dybantsa said.
That’s a cold line for a guy who’s all but locked into going first overall to the Washington Wizards anyway. But the confidence matters because it tells you something about how he sees himself stepping into a franchise that has been searching for a savior since John Wall’s prime.
Dybantsa has been the projected top pick for months now. Scouts love his length, his feel for the game and the way he can create his own shot against just about any defender. The Wizards have been rebuilding through the lottery for years, and landing a player with Dybantsa’s ceiling feels like the kind of break a struggling organization needs.
But hearing him say it out loud on national TV? That’s different. That’s a guy who wants the pressure. He wants everyone to know he expects to be the guy.
Dybantsa also talked about sharing the night with his parents and the other prospects in attendance. His draft outfit got some attention too — but the quote is what people are going to remember. The Wizards haven’t made an official announcement about who they’re taking at No. 1, but everyone around the league expects Dybantsa’s name to be the one called.
It’s worth noting that top picks have said similar things before and then watched their careers go sideways. But Dybantsa isn’t thinking about that. He’s thinking about staying at No. 1 the way he always has.
More details from the draft floor are expected as the night goes on.
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