A.J. Dybantsa, next to Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, would join the list of D.C. notables if selected No. 1 in the NBA Draft by the Wizards (Courtesy: Office of Gov. Healey)
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Last week, I reported that a high-ranking league source believes the Washington Wizards’ internal debate for the No. 1 overall pick has narrowed to two prospects.
No specific names were provided. The shocker would be if one of them isn’t A.J. Dybantsa.
The Brigham Young standout has been in pole position since Washington won May’s NBA Draft Lottery, if not weeks earlier, after leading the nation in scoring as a freshman.
The rationale is worth exploring.
Unlike Darryn Peterson, whose lone season at Kansas generated as many questions as answers, Dybantsa’s path through college basketball largely reinforced the expectations that made him one of the most celebrated recruits in the country.
Several current and former executives, scouts and coaches who spoke with Last Man Standig in recent weeks landed on a similar conclusion.
“Easily the best combination of potential and high floor,” one league source said.
The Wizards’ debate at No. 1 is down to two prospects: Source
That’s not the same as calling Dybantsa the most talented player in the draft.
Some evaluators reserve that distinction for Peterson. Others remain captivated by Duke big man Cameron Boozer’s production and analytical profile.
The argument for Dybantsa is different.
It’s that no prospect in this class combines elite physical tools, offensive versatility, production and relative certainty quite like the 19-year-old from Boston.
The appeal is obvious.
Position: Wing/Forward
Height: 6-foot-8.5
Wingspan: 7-foot-0.5
Vertical leap: 42 inches
No. 1 — ESPN, The Athletic, CBS Sports
No. 2 — Yahoo Sports
No. 3 — The Ringer
Offensively, Dybantsa has enough handle, vision, length and versatility to play four positions.
With his size and athleticism, he projects as a multi-positional defender capable of matching up with wings and forwards across the league.
Praising Dybantsa’s offensive game doesn’t require much homework.
The BYU standout led Division I in scoring at 25.5 points per game and finished below 16 points only once in 35 contests while shooting 51 percent from the field.
His knack for getting to the free-throw line — he led the nation in attempts — and his mid-range game highlighted the variety in his scoring arsenal.
According to Basketball Reference via The Athletic’s draft analyst Sam Vecenie, Dybantsa joined Michael Beasley as one of only two freshmen since 1953-54 to average 25 points, shoot 50 percent from the field, and attempt at least eight free throws per game.
The efficiency wasn’t flawless. The production was undeniable.
Yet the season wasn’t entirely linear. What resonated more with some evaluators came after BYU lost a key piece of its offense.