AJ Dybantsa didn't just play in his NBA Summer League debut on Thursday, he absolutely owned it, clocking 27 points and seven rebounds as the Washington Wizards took down the Utah Jazz 92-88 in Las Vegas. This kid, picked first overall by the Wizards, faced a ton of pressure coming into this game, especially with guys like Darryn Peterson and Cameron Boozer also in the mix for that top spot. It wasn't a guarantee he'd go No. 1, so the stakes were real for his first time hitting the court. If he was nervous, though, you couldn't tell it for a second.
Dybantsa Looked Confident From the Jump
He took the court against Darryn Peterson and the Jazz, and from the opening tip, Dybantsa absolutely nailed his first game. He made it crystal clear that the Wizards knew what they were doing picking him at the very top. Besides those 27 points and seven boards, the dude looked straight-up confident. He handled the ball like he'd been in the league for years, appearing way more seasoned than his age or experience would ever imply. And yeah, he hammered home a huge dunk that had the crowd losing it. You love to see a top pick step up under pressure and deliver immediately.Silencing the Critics, One Dunk at a Time
After the game, Dybantsa told reporters how good it felt to finally get out there in his first NBA game. He mentioned that he'd been making a lot of plays at the rim during summer practices, so it was just more of the same once the lights came on. That monster dunk? He broke it down for everyone, explaining he "turned the corner and saw a lane" and the only way to finish it was "punching it" because he'd already been fouled a couple of times. His teammates stepped up too, with Tre Johnson adding 26 points and Will Riley chipping in 18 points, but Dybantsa was the headline grabber, no doubt. The kid is already silencing the critics, showing everyone why he was the No. 1 pick. Dybantsa and the Wizards are back at it this Sunday, July 12, when they face off against the Kings. The NBA Summer League runs through July 19, so there's plenty more time to see if Dybantsa can keep this incredible momentum rolling and keep proving that No. 1 pick was the absolute right call. You just know he's gonna bring that same fire again.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.