AJ Dybantsa Shines in Likely Final NBA Summer League Game

By Ohm Youngmisuk, ESPN — July 13, 2026

What Happened in the Game?

Imagine a practice basketball tournament in the summer where new players try out before the real season. That’s called the NBA Summer League. In Las Vegas, the Washington Wizards (a professional basketball team) played against the Sacramento Kings.

Here’s the simple scoreboard:

• The Wizards won 104–85 — that means they scored 104 points and the Kings scored 85.
• The Wizards are now 2 wins and 0 losses (they haven’t lost yet).
• AJ Dybantsa, the very first player chosen in the recent NBA draft (we call him the No. 1 pick), played for the Wizards.
• He scored 23 points (baskets) and grabbed 7 rebounds (caught the ball after someone missed a shot).
• He was on the court for 24 minutes.
• He tried to shoot the ball 15 times from close or mid-distance and made 6 (that’s 6-for-15). From far away (called a 3-point attempt), he tried 6 times but only made 1 (missed five).

Why This Might Be His Last Summer Game

In the summer league, teams often protect their lottery picks (the top players chosen early in the draft, like the first few numbers in a lottery). They do this by not playing them too much to avoid injuries.

• Because of this rule of thumb, Dybantsa might have played his last game on Sunday.

• Over his two summer games, he averaged (on average) these cool stats:

  • 25 points per game
  • 7 rebounds
  • 2 assists (passing the ball so a teammate scores)
  • 2.5 steals (taking the ball away from the other team)
  • 1.5 blocks (stopping the other team’s shot from going in)

Important: Teams shut down top young players after about two summer games just to keep them safe. Dybantsa’s summer league is likely finished.

Dybantsa’s Feelings: A Test Run

Dybantsa told ESPN that the summer games were like a practice test:

• He said: "It was kind of just testing grounds for me. Just trying to get used to the game speed, to the plays, to the players and my teammates and the physicality of the game."
• In his first game, he scored 27 points against the Utah Jazz and the No. 2 pick (second player drafted) named Darryn Peterson.
• He came to Las Vegas wanting to prove he can play better defense (stopping the other team) than he did in college at BYU.

How He Showed His Defense

Dybantsa has a 7-foot wingspan — that means if he stretches his arms, fingertip to fingertip, it’s as long as a tall grown-up is tall! That helps him swat balls and grab steals.

Here’s a play he made, step by step:

1. He started guarding a player named Nique Clifford near the middle of the court.
2. He forced Clifford to lose the ball out of bounds (the ball went outside the line).
3. His long arms caused confusion for the other team on defense.
4. On the very next play, he stole the ball (took it for his team).

Against the Kings, he finished with 3 steals and 2 blocks.

He even said this about his defensive dreams:

"I’ve been telling my trainers I think I could be a first-team All-Defensive team guy. So, I mean, that’s just what I’m trying to make, an impact on the defensive end. In college, I was being lazy a lot on the defensive end. Just letting guys blow by me, not being a help side. But definitely want to bring it to the next level."

Important: Dybantsa wants to be one of the best defenders in the whole league, not just someone who scores points.

More Stats and Tired Legs

• Before summer league, his last game was in college on March 19, where he scored 35 points and 10 rebounds but lost to Texas (79–71) in the first round of the big college tournament (NCAA).
• In his two summer games total, he shot 13-for-33 (about 39%) overall and only 1-for-11 (about 9%) from long distance.
• He lost the ball to the other team 3 times (called turnovers) against Sacramento.
• He admitted he got tired: "I [got] tired. I’m drinking my electrolytes. I mean, obviously it’s hot out here, so just trying to drink a lot of water, but definitely getting my legs back." (Electrolytes are special sports drinks that help your body stay energized.)

A Player Who Can Do Many Things

Dybantsa showed he is like a Swiss Army knife on the court:

• He can dribble (handle the ball).
• He can drive to the basket with either hand.
• He can score even when bumped (physicality).
• He can create his own shot (make a basket without a teammate’s pass).
• He can rebound.
• He even guarded a giant 7-foot-1 center (tall middle player) named Maxime Raynaud at one point.

Other player notes from the game:

• Raynaud scored 20 points and 12 rebounds for the Kings.
• Darius Acuff Jr. (the No. 7 pick) scored 12 points but missed many shots (4-for-14).
• Will Riley (the No. 21 pick in 2025) scored 32 points for the Wizards — another young talent!

What This Means for the Wizards’ Real Season

If Dybantsa is done in Vegas, the Wizards saw plenty to smile about.

• They hope to compete for a playoff spot (the advanced tournament at the end of the year) with a young group led by experienced stars Trae Young and Anthony Davis.
• Dybantsa will only get stronger and fitter.
• The Wizards’ summer coach T.J. Sorrentine said: "I think he got tired, right? He’s running around doing all types of stuff, and that’s part of being the guy in the No. 1 pick. That ball got a little sticky. But you look at the stats, he ends up at 23 and he’s a heck of a player."

Summary

AJ Dybantsa, the first player chosen in the NBA draft, likely finished his summer league by scoring 23 points and 7 rebounds in a Wizards win over the Kings. In two games, he averaged 25 points and showed he wants to be a top defender. He got tired but displayed many skills like dribbling, shooting, and guarding big players. The Wizards are excited for the real season with him and other young players alongside veterans Trae Young and Anthony Davis.

FAQ

Q: What exactly is the NBA Summer League?
A: It’s a casual basketball event in summer where new and young players get real game experience before the official season. Think of it as a friendly practice tournament.

Q: Why do teams stop playing their top draft picks after two games?
A: To keep them safe from getting hurt. These players are very valuable, and the summer games don’t count toward the real championship.

Q: What does “lottery pick” mean in simple terms?
A: The NBA draft is when teams choose new players. The teams that did worse get to pick earlier. The very top choices (like No. 1, No. 2) are called lottery picks, similar to winning a lucky draw.

Q: What is wingspan and why is it good for defense?
A: Wingspan is the distance from your left fingertip to your right fingertip when arms are stretched. Longer arms help you block shots and steal balls without touching the player too much.

Q: Who are the veteran leaders mentioned for the Wizards?
A: Trae Young and Anthony Davis — they are experienced, well-known professional players who will help guide the younger teammates during the real season.