Freshmen A.J. Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson could hear their names early in the 2026 NBA Draft. What would their path with the Washington Wizards look like? College basketball is a “one and done” proposition for many top athletes.
The player gains experience beyond high school, and they could look towards a lucrative NBA contract the following year. Meanwhile, NBA teams at the top of the lottery will spend the college basketball season examining prospects to see how they would fit into the everyday flow of their team, potentially serving as a future face of the franchise.
Potential Washington Wizards Fit for A.J. Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson
Even before the Wizards prepare for the upcoming season, experts begin to plot their course for after the campaign, looking towards the NBA Draft. This early in the cycle, you continue to hear a couple of names: BYU small forward Dybantsa and Kansas combo guard Peterson.
One of the teams that could be in play for one or both is Washington, which owns two first-round picks in next summer’s draft. “Bleav in Wizards” host Matt Modderno breaks down both athletes to see where they could benefit the Wizards.
Kansas freshman guard Darryn Peterson should be atop the Washington Wizards NBA Draft wishlist in 2026 pic.twitter.com/lwJHNnzOpI
— Bullets Forever (@BulletsForever) August 21, 2025
“Darryn Peterson… 6’4″, 6’5″ guard. This dude would instantly jumpstart the Wizards from an athletic perspective. Darryn Peterson is so good; you have to take a guy like that. He creates for people because he draws so much attention. He’s going to get downhill. He’s got good size and length.”
Similarly, Modderno expressed similar praise for Dybantsa.
BYU freshman wing AJ Dybantsa seems to check a lot of boxes the Wizards front office prioritizes. Would he be your top target for the Wizards? pic.twitter.com/x3uEKkchTU
— Bullets Forever (@BulletsForever) August 22, 2025
“If he’s a Jayson Tatum-level creator long-term, that’s huge. 6’8″, 6’9″ with a seven-foot wingspan. He’s a guy who wants to slash and get into the midrange. When he’s at his best, he’s playing two-way basketball.”
The host describes the long-range jump shot as a weakness for both players. Granted, each can hit the mid-range, but extending beyond the free-throw line will need to be the first thing they work on in what presumably amounts to their lone college season.
Meanwhile, the Washington Wizards finished with a league-worst 18-64 record last season. If drafted by the Wizards, Peterson would easily slide into the starting point guard spot over veteran Bub Carrington. Carrington averaged 4.4 assists in 82 games (57 starts/0). More importantly, if the team likes what they already have, Peterson and Carrington could give the team a point guard tandem that could increase the team’s pacing.
Dybantsa’s fit into the Wizards may be a bit trickier. The team currently employs small forward Bilal Coulibaly. Dybantsa, with an improved jump shot, could supplant Coulibaly at the three, relegating the 20-year-old to the bench.
Dybantsa’s game would mesh with center/power forward Alex Sarr, whom the team spent the second overall pick on in last year’s draft. Sarr is a quicker big man who loves to get up and down the floor. If you add a wing that can provide the same thing, the Wizard might want to push the pace.
Dybantsa and Peterson still need to play their first season in college. Additionally, it remains unknown if they will actually declare early. Until then, will they use the college minutes to polish their skill set so that Washington will take notice?
