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# 5 Things You Didn't Know About Brockton's AJ Dybantsa, Top NBA Draft Pick
- URL: https://www.newbostonpost.com/aj-dybantsa-brockton-nba-draft-five-things/
- Published: 2026-06-24T12:34:32.000Z
- Updated: 2026-06-24T12:34:32.000Z
- Description: Brockton native AJ Dybantsa went first overall in the NBA Draft. Here are five things to know about the Massachusetts basketball star.
- Author: Abigail Hawthorne
- Tags: Blogs, Sports, Massachusetts

Massachusetts basketball fans got a reason to celebrate Tuesday night.

Brockton native and former BYU star AJ Dybantsa went No. 1 overall in the 2026 NBA Draft (drafted by the Washington Wizards), becoming the first player in Brigham Young University history to be selected first overall.

Here are five things you may not know about him.

**1\. He was the top-ranked basketball recruit in America as a freshman in high school**

Most elite prospects do not reach the top spot in national rankings until later in high school.

Dybantsa became the [No. 1 prospect in his class](https://www.wcvb.com/article/aj-dybantsa-basketball-st-sebastians-top-ranked-freshman-espn-ranked-needham-massachusetts/43873902?ref=newbostonpost.com) on ESPN after his freshman season at St. Sebastian's School in Needham. He was named Massachusetts Gatorade Player of the Year after averaging 19.1 points and 9.6 rebounds per game.

**2\. He comes from an immigrant family**

Dybantsa's [father](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7389110/2026/06/24/aj-dybantsa-washington-wizards-pick/?ref=newbostonpost.com) is originally from the Republic of the Congo and his mother is from Jamaica.

His father [worked](https://www.wcvb.com/article/who-is-aj-dybantsa-massachusetts/71679247?ref=newbostonpost.com) as a police officer at Boston University before retiring to help manage his son's basketball career. His mother studied social work at Salem State University.

**3\. He won three gold medals with Team USA**

Before reaching the NBA, Dybantsa already built an impressive international résumé.

He won [gold medals](https://www.newbostonpost.com/maura-healey-health-care-plan-secret/) with Team USA at the FIBA Under-16 Americas Championship, the FIBA Under-17 World Cup and the FIBA Under-19 World Cup. He was named MVP of the Under-19 World Cup in 2025.

**4\. He announced his NBA decision at his old elementary school**

When Dybantsa declared for the NBA Draft in April, he did not do it from a television studio or a college arena.

Instead, he [returned](https://www.patriotledger.com/picture-gallery/sports/pro/2026/04/23/see-aj-dybantsa-return-to-brockton-to-declare-for-2026-nba-draft/89756185007/?ref=newbostonpost.com) to Davis Elementary School in Brockton, where he attended as a child, to make the announcement.

**5\. He is the first Massachusetts native to go No. 1 overall since Patrick Ewing**

Massachusetts has produced plenty of basketball talent, but not many No. 1 overall picks.

Dybantsa became the [first](https://www.boston.com/sports/nba/2026/06/23/nba-draft-aj-dybantsa-washington-wizards-no-1-overall-comments/?ref=newbostonpost.com) Massachusetts native selected first overall since Patrick Ewing in 1985\. The Brockton native accomplished that feat Tuesday night when the Washington Wizards called his name with the first pick.

At 19 years old, Dybantsa already owns a long list of accomplishments. Now he will try to become the next Massachusetts basketball player to become an NBA superstar.