AJ Dybantsa looked like he belonged. Maybe that’s underselling it. The No. 1 overall pick out of BYU walked into Thomas & Mack Center on Thursday and put up 27 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and a block in 26 minutes. His Washington Wizards beat the Utah Jazz 88-80 in a Summer League game that got physical late. Dybantsa had 19 before halftime. He was the best player on the floor by a lot.
Darryn Peterson, the No. 2 pick, had his moments. But this was Dybantsa’s night. He hit pull-up jumpers. He finished through contact. He also left the game with about a minute left in the fourth quarter after tweaking his knee. He said afterward it’s nothing serious. “Nothing crazy,” he told reporters.
What a 19-Year-Old No. 1 Pick Is Actually Thinking About
After the game, Dybantsa was calm. Not tired. Not overwhelmed. Just a kid who played three quarters of Summer League ball and answered questions like he’d done it a hundred times. When asked what he’s focusing on in Las Vegas, he didn’t talk about his scoring or his highlight dunks. He talked about fit.
“First of all, win, definitely,” Dybantsa said in a video posted by Duane Rankin of Arizona Central. “Try to figure out where I’m going to be at. Try to find different scoring areas, whether that’s midrange or my three ball. Just playing against NBA defenses, guarding NBA offenses.”
That’s a pretty mature answer for a guy who just turned 19. He’s not treating Summer League like a showcase. He’s treating it like a job interview for a specific role. The Wizards are rebuilding. They need a forward who can defend and score from multiple levels. Dybantsa is clearly thinking about how he fits into an actual rotation, not just how many points he can pile up against guys fighting for two-way contracts.
The Debut Numbers Were Still Wild
For context, that 27-point debut is the highest by a No. 1 pick in the Summer League over the last six years. He beat out Cooper Flagg, Victor Wembanyama, and Cade Cunningham. That’s legit company. And he did it while shooting efficiently and playing defense that actually translated. He picked up two steals and blocked a shot. He got to the line. He looked like a pro.
Dybantsa also mentioned he’s already clicking with Tre Johnson, Alex Sarr, and Kyshawn George. He hasn’t met Trae Young yet but said he’s looking forward to it. The chemistry stuff matters more than people think. Summer League is full of guys playing next to strangers. Dybantsa seems to be figuring out where his teammates like the ball. That’s the kind of detail that separates rookies who adjust fast from ones who struggle.
A couple of his dunks got the building loud. He downplayed that too. “I was dunking. I was fouled like two times,” he said with a shrug. The guy clearly has the talent. But the way he’s talking, the real work is just getting started.
Leave a Comment