The Washington Wizards’ 2026 first overall pick, A.J. Dybantsa, has entered the NBA with a playing style shaped heavily by NBA-level coaching methods borrowed from the Phoenix Suns’ successful early-2020s system. BYU head coach Kevin Young, who worked as an assistant with the Suns during their title-contending years, applied the schemes, rotations, and drills from that era to Dybantsa’s college training. The result has been a rookie whose game draws clear comparisons to Kevin Durant and Devin Booker.
Dybantsa arrived at BYU already a standout, but Young’s task was to refine his skills to help BYU make a deep run in March Madness and improve the draft stock of their star player. Young explained to The Athletic that he used “reference points” from the Suns’ system, saying, “We put Dybantsa in a ton of pick and rolls, tried to teach how to read the game as a pick-and-roll decision-maker, knowing that those are the things he would be asked to do at the NBA level.”
The coaching approach focused on offensive comfort zones Young had developed during his time with Phoenix, specifically drawing from the styles of Durant, Booker, Tobias Harris, and Jimmy Butler. This NBA-style training has paid off as Dybantsa’s early performances have echoed those of Durant and Booker. Over three preseason games with the Wizards, he has averaged 23.9 minutes, scored 13 points on 42.4% shooting, grabbed 4.3 rebounds, handed out 2.3 assists, and recorded 2 steals per game.
In his preseason debut against the New York Knicks, Dybantsa scored 11 points on 5-of-11 shooting, added 2 assists, and made 4 steals in 23 minutes, drawing attention for his defensive activity and scoring versatility. Basketball Performances tweeted that he was the “most obvious superstar in the making” following that game.
Despite these promising signs, Dybantsa still faces challenges common to players early in their careers. His three-point shooting was a glaring weakness, with a 12.5% conversion rate from beyond the arc in the preseason. His free-throw shooting also requires improvement, sitting at 58.8%, which raises concerns about potential exploitation by opposing teams employing a Hack-A-Shaq strategy.
Both Durant and Booker struggled with scoring efficiency early on, so these rookie hurdles are not unusual. Dybantsa’s development will depend on continued work from BYU’s coaching staff and the Wizards organization to address these weaknesses.
The Wizards have seen enough from Dybantsa to rank him highly among rookies. ESPN placed him at the top of its rookie player rankings, and his impact alongside the Wizards’ new star trio generated three key takeaways from their debut together.
While the Wizards’ rookie still has room to grow, Young’s NBA-style training has clearly influenced his approach on both ends of the floor. Dybantsa’s ability to handle pick-and-roll plays and read defenses mirrors the early careers of Durant and Booker, even as he adjusts to the rigours of the NBA.
According to Yahoo Sports.
