Why AJ Dybantsa is confident enough to skip workouts before the NBA Draft

Three days before the 2026 NBA Draft, the presumptive No. 1 overall pick revealed he never actually worked out for the team most expected to take him.

AJ Dybantsa, the BYU forward and the betting favorite to be selected first by the Washington Wizards, said on the Baseline Banter podcast that he skipped formal workouts with every NBA team during the pre-draft process, opting instead for visits and conversations.

"I didn't work out for none," Dybantsa said. "I just visited the cities. They take me to the facilities. They take me to dinner. Talk. I don't have to work out. They know what I can do."

Why Dybantsa's confidence has not translated into a guaranteed No. 1 pick

Despite being viewed by most draft experts as the top prospect in the class, ClutchPoints' Brett Siegel reported that Washington had taken "a very long look" at Kansas guard Darryn Peterson multiple times throughout the pre-draft cycle, suggesting the Wizards' decision was not finalized heading into the final week.

"On the other side of the equation, you have Dybantsa and his camp, who are sitting back with their feet up with no worries whatsoever," Siegel wrote. "Dybantsa has made it clear that he feels he has done more than enough to be the No. 1 pick, and he has been on the record several times stating how well he would fit in with the Wizards. Not to mention, he's made it clear he intends to take the Wizards to the playoffs."

Dybantsa is currently the betting favorite at -390 on FanDuel Sportsbook to go first overall. Peterson sits behind him at +380, with Duke's Cameron Boozer, the 2026 Naismith Player of the Year, further back at longer odds.

Dybantsa also acknowledged he hasn't fully processed what's about to happen.

"I don't think it's hit me yet," he said of not knowing which team he'll be playing for next season.

The draft begins Tuesday at 8:00 p.m. ET on ABC and the ESPN App. Will the Wizards reward Dybantsa's confidence, or surprise the basketball world with Peterson?

The answer is now down to a 72-hour window; by his own account, his camp has already stopped stressing over it.

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