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 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 is originally from the Republic of the Congo and his mother is from Jamaica.
His father worked 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 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 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 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.
