BYU freshman AJ Dybantsa officialy declared for the NBA draft on Tuesday, positioning himself as the likely No. 1 overall pick. According to the Associated Press’s second mock draft, the 6-foot-9, 217-pound forward is ranked ahead of Kansas combo guard Darryn Peterson, Duke forward Cameron Boozer, and North Carolina’s Caleb Wilson. The Washington Wizards, who own the top selection, have not reached the NBA Finals since 1979, when the franchise was still known as the Bullets.

Dybantsa’s 25.5 PPG:A national scoring leader built on free-throw volume

The AP reported that Dybantsa averaged a national-best 25.5 points per game, fueled by an unmatched ability to draw contact. He attempted 296 free throws — also a national best — and made 229 of them. His 3.7 assists per game and his skill at creating his own shot make him a versatile offensive engine, though his reliance on foul-drawing raises questions about efficiency at the next level.

Washington’s No. 1 pick after a 46-year Finals drought: A franchise chasing a turnaround

The Wizards have not appeared in the NBA Finals since the Bullets lost to the Seattle SuperSonics in 1979. According to the source, Dybantsa could be the player to “get them going again .” However, Washington’s recent draft history is mixed, and the team enters this selection with a roster that lacks a clear star. The pressure to hit on a franchise-altering talent is acute, especially given the depth of this draft class — the article notes that four other prospects are also considered top-tier picks.

Darryn Peterson’s cramping episode and the unknowns of durability

Peterson, ranked second by the AP, averaged 20.2 points on efficient shooting (38.2% from 3, 82.6% free throws).. But the AP report disclosed a full-body cramping issue that required hospitalization before the season, causing him to miss 11 games and often face limited minutes. no further medical details are available in the source, leaving scouts to weigh his scoring upside against a concerning health history.

Cameron Boozer: The son of a former NBA star and AP National Player of the Year

Duke forward Cameron Boozer, the fifth freshman ever voted AP men’s national player of the year , averaged 22.5 points and 10.2 rebounds while shooting 55.6% from the field and 39.1% on 3-poiters.. As reported, he is the son of former Duke and NBA player Carlos Boozer. His polished inside-out game offers a different archetype than Dybantsa, but the Wizards’ front office must decide whether a power forward with a lower ceiling as a primary scorer fits their timeline.

What remains unanswered: The Wizards’ pre-draft medicals and trade possibilities

The AP report does not indicate whether the Wizards have conducted private workouts or medical evaluations for any of these prospects. dybantsa’s free-throw reliance, Peterson’s cramping history, and Caleb Wilson’s lean 211-pound frame (with a 25.9% 3-point percentage) all carry risk that only behind-the-scenes data can clarify. Additionally, the source offers no hint of whether Washington might trade the pick — a scenario that could reshape the entire draft.