Washington faces a draft-day dilemma as Kansas scorer Darryn Peterson surges, challenging long-time favorite AJ Dybantsa for the top spot in a high-stakes battle for the future.
Report: Wizards Still Undecided Between Darryn Peterson, AJ Dybantsa for No. 1 Pick
Less than a week before the 2026 NBA Draft, the race for the No. 1 overall pick remains wide open.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Washington Wizards entered the weekend still undecided between former Kansas star Darryn Peterson and BYU standout AJ Dybantsa. The report comes after weeks of growing speculation that Peterson could be gaining momentum at the top of the draft board.
"The Wizards entered the weekend still undecided," Stein reported, while also noting that a potential Utah trade-up for Dybantsa appears unlikely.
The latest development adds another twist to what has become one of the most intriguing No. 1 pick battles in recent memory.
For much of the past year, Dybantsa was viewed as the consensus favorite to hear his name called first. However, Peterson has generated significant momentum during the pre-draft process. ESPN draft analyst Jeremy Woo recently moved Peterson to the No. 1 spot on his final big board, writing that the former Jayhawk is "the most gifted scorer in this draft."
Peterson's camp has also projected confidence throughout the process. Earlier this week, ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Peterson only visited with the Wizards and declined additional meetings with other lottery teams. Multiple reports have suggested Peterson believes he remains firmly in contention for the top selection.
The support has extended beyond draft analysts. Former Wizards star John Wall recently said Washington should select Peterson first overall, while Kendrick Perkins called him the best prospect in the class and compared his upside to Kobe Bryant.
At Kansas, Peterson averaged 20.2 points per game despite appearing in only 24 contests because of injuries and cramping issues. While those health concerns sparked questions throughout the season, NBA teams reportedly have not viewed them as significant long-term concerns.
With the draft scheduled for June 23-24, Washington appears to be weighing two elite prospects. The latest reporting suggests the decision is still not finalized, leaving Peterson with a legitimate chance to be selected No. 1 overall.
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