​Washington Wizards rookie AJ Dybantsa made his NBA Summer League debut Thursday, and the No. 1 overall pick etched a small piece of history along the way. Dybantsa posted 27 points, seven rebounds, two assists, two steals, and one blocked shot in Washington’s 92-88 win over the Utah Jazz, led by No. 2 pick Darryn Peterson, at the Thomas & Mack Center. He logged 26 minutes, shooting 7-for-18 from the floor.
The 6-foot-9 forward matched Blake Griffin for the most points ever scored by a top pick in their Summer League debut in Las Vegas, a tournament that has taken place since 2004. With Peterson adding 24 points, the game became only the second time in Summer League history that both top-two picks each scored 20 or more points in the same game. Dybantsa called his performance “solid,” noting that he’d missed several easy chances and that his fadeaway was a bit short and needed a higher arc, though he felt he overall played well.
What stood out was how Dybantsa utilized his blend of size, physicality, and athleticism to find scoring opportunities. He repeatedly attacked the paint, delivering a string of difficult finishes and even throwing down some eye-catching dunks. The 19-year-old shared the floor with several of his Wizards teammates for the first time, including Tre Johnson, who put up 26 points, Will Riley with 18, and Felix Okpara, who contributed four. The group was joined by much of the Wizards’ roster, who sat courtside throughout the evening, including notable figures like Anthony Davis and Trae Young.
It remains to be seen whether Dybantsa will participate in all five of the team’s Summer League games in Las Vegas, but his debut met expectations for a top pick entering the showcase. These outings are designed to sharpen his readiness for the regular season and to help acclimate him to NBA-level competition. Dybantsa acknowledged the challenge, remarking, “This is still NBA defense. These guys are competing for contracts. Some of them will be on the actual team, so playing against them, guarding them, it will only make it better and easier for me when the season arrives.”
This report originally appeared on Rookie Wire. The Wizards rookie’s Summer League performance signals how his game translates to higher levels and hints at what fans might anticipate as he continues to develop in the lead-up to the regular season.