Washington Wizards first overall NBA draft pick AJ Dybantsa will not play for the remainder of the NBA Summer League. Wizards summer league coach T.J. Sorrentine announced the decision after Dybantsa played in two games, a move consistent with precautionary measures often taken by teams.
Dybantsa, 19, will miss the Wizards' Wednesday game against the Clippers and any potential playoff games. The team also opted to shut down sophomores Tre Johnson and Will Riley for the rest of the summer league.
In his two Summer League appearances, Dybantsa scored 27 points on 7-of-18 shooting with seven rebounds and two assists in a win over the Jazz. He followed that performance with 23 points in a victory against the Kings, despite shooting 6-for-15 from the field and 1-for-6 from three-point range. Over the two games, he displayed defensive potential with three blocks.
"It was just kind of testing grounds for me," Dybantsa told ESPN after his final game on Sunday. "Just trying to get used to the game speed, to the plays, to the players and my teammates and the physicality of the game."
Dybantsa was the top pick in last month's draft after leading the NCAA in scoring during his freshman year at BYU with 25.5 points per game. He scored 40 points twice last season and registered 35 points in BYU’s NCAA Tournament loss to Texas.
He is expected to be a Day 1 starter for a revamped Wizards squad aiming to make the playoffs for the first time since 2021, likely alongside veterans Trae Young and Anthony Davis. Fans will have to wait until October to see him in regular season action.