2026 NBA Draft: Wizards take AJ Dybantsa over Darryn Peterson at No. 1 as top four unfolds without a surprise
The Washington Wizards selected AJ Dybantsa with the first pick of the 2026 NBA Draft on Tuesday night. After weeks of speculation on who would come off the board first, Washington went with Dybansta, the BYU star, over Kansas' Darryn Peterson and Duke's Cameron Boozer, among others. Dybantsa, after a standout freshman season for the Cougars, was the top-ranked player in the CBS Sports NBA Draft Prospect Rankings. He emerged as the heavy favorite in the days leading up to the 2026 NBA Draft to be Washington's selection.
Peterson (Jazz), Boozer (Grizzlies) and Caleb Wilson (Bulls) rounded out the top four in what is considered a loaded draft class.
Immediately after the Wizards won last month's NBA Draft Lottery, there was speculation that the Utah Jazz could trade up to No. 1 to select Dybantsa, who has an extensive history over the last two years playing in the state of Utah. Dybantsa played his senior season of high school at Utah Prep and his lone college season at BYU. In the end, Washington stood pat at No. 1 and selected Dybantsa.
Washington was making the No. 1 overall pick for the first time since 2010, when the franchise selected John Wall. With Dybantsa officially joining the team, he will join a core in Washington that includes Trae Young, Anthony Davis, Alex Sarr, Kyshawn George, Tre Johnson, Bilal Coulibaly, Bub Carrington and Will Riley. Notably, Young signed a four-year, $212 million extension with the franchise on the eve of the draft.
AJ Dybantsa's relentless pursuit to try and be the No. 1 pick driven by one motto: 'Keep it in the family' Matt Norlander
Dybantsa, the No. 2 overall recruit in the 2025 recruiting cycle by 247Sports -- behind Peterson -- had one of the best scoring seasons by a college freshman in the modern era. Dybantsa led the nation in scoring, averaging 25.5 points per game while leading BYU to another appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
His unique blend of size, skill and bend for a 6-foot-9 forward made him a logical candidate to be the No. 1 pick no matter who won the draft lottery. He gives Washington a true first option as the franchise looks to take the next step toward getting back to the postseason after three consecutive drafts picking in the top six.
Dybantsa has drawn comparisons to several current and former NBA stars, including Tracy McGrady and Paul George. One of Dybantsa's strengths is his ability to get to the basket by creating advantages with his size and wiggle around the rim. Dybantsa shot 63% on 246 attempts at the rim, per Synergy.
Jazz take Darryn Peterson at No. 2
No surprise here. After Dybantsa went off the board at No. 1, Utah selected Peterson right after. The Kansas guard entered the college basketball season as the projected No. 1 overall pick. However, after an up-and-down season with the Jayhawks -- where he missed 11 games due to cramping -- Dybantsa jumped Peterson in the consensus.
While Utah didn't win last month's draft lottery, taking Peterson -- who could very well end up being the best player in the class -- is one heck of a consolation prize. Peterson is a 6-foot-6 guard who is capable of playing on or off the ball.
Because of Peterson's inconsistent minutes while dealing with cramping issues, he played more off the ball than he did at Prolific Prep during his senior season, where he emerged as the top-ranked high school player in his class. Peterson's blend of shooting, defense and athleticism is why he is one of the best guard prospects in the last decade.
Peterson will be joining a Utah roster ready to take the next step. The Jazz traded for Jaren Jackson Jr. at last season's trade deadline. Utah can roll out a starting five this season of Keyonte George, Peterson, Lauri Markkanen, Jackson and Walker Kessler, who is set to be a restricted free agent this summer. Utah also has Ace Bailey, the No. 5 pick in last year's draft, as part of its core.
Grizzlies go with Cam Boozer at 3
No surprise in Memphis after Dybantsa and Peterson went off the board at picks No. 1 and 2, respectively. Two years ago, Memphis selected Zach Edey at No. 9 in the 2024 NBA Draft. Edey was considered one of the most polarizing players in his class because of question marks about how his game at the college level would translate to the NBA.
There are fewer questions about how Boozer's game will translate, but there will be skeptics. Still, there wasn't a player in college basketball more productive than Boozer last season at Duke. Boozer has a high basketball IQ, is a relentless rebounder and can stretch the floor. Above all else, his greatest strength is as a passer. Boozer will immediately step into the NBA and be one of the best passing bigs in the league.
With offseason questions looming around a potential divorce with former face-of-the-franchise Ja Morant, adding Boozer gives Memphis a true building block heading into a new era. Boozer has one of the highest floors in the class and has the potential to be an All-NBA player.
Bulls take Wilson at No. 4
The Bulls had the easiest pick of the entire night. After Dybantsa, Peterson and Boozer went off the board, Chicago had an easy decision to make by turning in the card for Caleb Wilson.
Wilson is a jump-out-of-the-gym forward with one of the highest upside in the class. His motor is what stands out above everything else. He played like a scrappy walk-on at North Carolina despite having a five-star pedigree associated with his name.
Chicago needed talent heading into draft night. The franchise was able to select the last player in the true Tier 1 of this class. Wilson will be a two-way, game-wrecking forward at the next level. If he can develop a jumper, he will outperform his draft slot.
Add CBS Sports on GoogleBadenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
