No half measures. AJ Dybantsa faces his rookie year in the NBA with the conviction that it isn’t about reaching glory on day one, but about sharpening himself to become the player he dreams of.
Fully immersed in training camp, the No. 1 pick of the 2026 draft explains what the early steps alongside his teammates are like and how he feels he still has a lot to accomplish given the level of those around him.
“This year it’s much easier to stay hungry and focused because, frankly, they’re giving me a beating in practices. I’m no longer the most dominant player. So that motivates me even more. I tell myself: ‘Okay, I have a ton of things to improve’,” he explains.
Far from being new to him, Dybantsa explains that he has felt this way before, since both in high school and college he needed to maintain that mindset to grow and meet the challenges that arose.
“Something similar happened with the possibility of becoming number one. Everyone said it wasn’t guaranteed, so I had to stay hungry,” he notes.
AJ Dybantsa’s Relationship with Felix Okpara
Beyond feeling that he must rise to the level of the professionals, Dybantsa also discusses what it’s like competing with the other young Wizards players, including fellow rookie Felix Okpara.
“With Felix, it’s simply two rookies pushing each other. He’s a bit older, sometimes I call him ‘the old rookie.’ He’s a bit stronger than I am, so in the gym I push myself to lift more weight than him. We just try to maintain that competitive spirit to improve,” he concludes.
