Many 2026 NBA mock drafts feature the Washington Wizards taking AJ Dybantsa with the No. 1 pick.
If this happens, the 19-year-old phenom wants “3” on the back of his jersey. The only problem? This number already belongs to a proven All-Star in Trae Young.
NBA World Roasts AJ Dybantsa for Wanting Trae Young’s Jersey Number
Dybantsa appeared on Gilbert Arenas’ “Gil’s Arena” podcast. They talked about Dybantsa preparing for the next level and why he feels he is the best player in a deep, talented 2026 draft class. However, the former Brigham Young University prospect ruffled some feathers when he said he would take Young’s jersey number.
“If [the Wizards] draft me, I do need 3, Trae. If they draft me. We’re gonna see in like 5 weeks,” said Dybantsa.
Dybantsa has all the tools to become a star in the NBA. He averaged 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.1 steals in his lone NCAA campaign. At 6 feet 9 inches, Dybantsa can put the ball on the floor, score from anywhere on the floor, and guard one through four on defense.
Few prospects display Dybantsa’s physical tools, skill set, and makeup, but he has not accomplished anything at the NBA level yet.
In contrast, Young led the Atlanta Hawks to the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals and earned four All-Star selections as the face of the franchise. Arenas responded to Dybantsa’s comments with a laugh, but most of the NBA world thinks Dybantsa was serious, based on their reactions on X/Twitter.
@Marquaviis1 sees Dybantsa’s appearance on Arenas’ podcast as a “HUGEEEEEE red flag.”
He’s on pods already??!!!! HUGEEEEEE red flag https://t.co/1kZPahhPIK
— Jiggy Quav (@Marquaviis1) June 2, 2026
@100harambee thinks the prospect’s comments come off as overconfident. “Entitlement. Trae Young has been an All-Star in this league you a rookie who aint played 1 second yet. He should have the mentality of I gotta earn everything.”
@no_real_id shares the same sentiment, posting, “Rookie talking about he needs Trae Young to give up his jersey number??”
@JBookie22 thinks Dybantsa’s potential request for Young’s number will be denied. “No way Trae going to let a rookie snatch his number,” the account posted.
@PlayoffKings was shocked that Dybantsa “lil bro’d” the eight-year NBA veteran.
“🚨 AJ Dybantsa just lil bro’d Trae Young 😭. ‘If they draft me, I DO need #3, Trae …’ Bro hasn’t played a single NBA minute and is already trying to evict Trae from his own jersey number 😭,” the account wrote.
@FortyEightMins thinks the Wizards will take Dybantsa No. 1, but there will be immediate “locker room beef loading” due to the rookie’s comments.
Wizards X/Twitter Sees Situation Differently
Most of the NBA world took Dybantsa’s comments seriously, but a Washington reporter and fan are not worried.
Matt Moderno of the Bleav in Wizards podcast thinks Wizards fans have nothing to worry about.
“I’ve seen a lot of Wizards fans freaking out over this for some reason. He’s a young kid having fun during an interview, stop being weird,” he wrote.
@Washedwiz thinks Dybantsa’s made his comments strictly for laughs.
“You can clearly tell he’s joking, but since it’s the Wizards, everyone is going to take it as seriously as possible,” the account posted.
You can clearly tell he’s joking, but since it’s the Wizards everyone is going to take it as seriously as possible https://t.co/HsPOeIf5Nx
— Martin Gorthot (@washedwiz) June 2, 2026
In three weeks, we will find out if the Wizards take Dybantsa with the No. 1 pick. It will be interesting to see how Washington lineup Dybantsa with Young, along with Anthony Davis.
