AJ Dybantsa’s pre-draft process has looked different from that of most projected No. 1 picks, and the BYU star made it clear this week that he saw little reason to follow the traditional workout circuit.
Appearing on Baseline Banter, Dybantsa revealed that he did not conduct private workouts for any NBA franchises ahead of the 2026 NBA Draft.
“I didn’t work out for none, I just visited the cities,” Dybantsa said. “I don’t gotta workout. They know what I can do.”
The comments underscore the confidence surrounding Dybantsa’s draft position with less than a week remaining before the June 23-24 draft. Widely regarded as the top prospect in the 2026 class, the BYU forward has been linked most strongly to the Washington Wizards, who own the No. 1 overall pick after finishing an NBA-worst 17-65 during the 2025-26 season.
Recent reporting from Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints indicated that Dybantsa met with Washington’s front office and ownership group and left the visit feeling encouraged about the organization’s plans. According to the report, a source close to the situation described the meeting as “perfect,” while Dybantsa’s camp reportedly received indications that the Wizards are leaning toward selecting him first overall.
Dybantsa’s decision to skip workouts is unusual but not unprecedented for elite prospects who believe their draft position is already established. Rather than showcasing his skills in controlled team settings, he relied on a body of work that made him the consensus top player in the class.
During his lone season at BYU, Dybantsa started all 35 games and averaged 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 34.8 minutes per contest. He shot 51.0% from the field, converted 56.8% of his two-point attempts and posted a 77.4% mark from the free-throw line. His production earned consensus first-team All-American honors and solidified his standing atop draft boards throughout the season.
The structure of his pre-draft schedule has also fueled speculation that the race for the No. 1 pick may already be narrowed to two teams. Reports have indicated that Dybantsa’s visits were focused primarily on the Wizards and the Utah Jazz, who hold the second overall selection after a 22-60 campaign. No other lottery teams have been prominently connected to him during the final stages of the process.
For Washington, the appeal is obvious. The Wizards finished 43 games behind the Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons and entered the offseason searching for a foundational star capable of accelerating their rebuild. Dybantsa’s combination of size, scoring ability and shot creation has made him the prospect most frequently projected to fill that role.
With draft night approaching, all signs continue to point toward the former BYU standout hearing his name called near the very top of the board, whether by Washington at No. 1 or Utah at No. 2.
