AJ Dybantsa a beacon of sunshine for Wizards followers, subsequent up in wealthy D.C. basketball custom
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BROOKLYN, N.Y. — Quiet because it’s stored, there will not be many American cities that love the recreation of basketball and have a wealthy hoop historical past like Washington, D.C.
Naismith Basketball Hall of Famers Edwin Bancroft Henderson, Earl Lloyd, Elgin Baylor, Morgan Wootten, Adrian Dantley, Dave Bing and John Thompson II made their names in Washington.
From the Goodwin Pro-Am league to maybe the nation’s finest highschool basketball to its current AAU dominance, the DMV (D.C., Maryland, Virginia) has had a fame for greatness in youth basketball for greater than 100 years.
And who might neglect the dominance and impression of Thompson and Georgetown University basketball?
However, within the weeds of D.C.’s basketball presence are the Washington Wizards. The Wizards’ franchise, previously the Washington Bullets, hasn’t been to the NBA Finals since 1979 and have owned the league’s worst successful share since 1980, in keeping with StatMuse. Through all of the lean years that even included two seasons with NBA legend Michael Jordan, long-suffering Wizards followers like rapper Wale have remained loyal.
“Basketball and D.C. go hand-in-hand,” Wale, who was born in D.C. and raised in Maryland, advised Andscape. “It’s not only a sport right here. It makes up the tradition, neighborhood and id. Some of the best hoopers on the planet come from the DMV. You can go to a random park within the DMV and see NBA-level expertise enjoying pickup.
“Being a Wizards fan isn’t always the easiest thing, but I’ve been a fan since I was a kid,” Wale stated. “We’ve had moments the place it felt like we’re virtually beginning over once more, and others the place we have been virtually there. When D.C. hosted the NBA All-Star Game in 2001, the town was on hearth. There was a lot vitality. And Jordan making his ultimate comeback with the Wizards within the early 2000s was electrical. But I’ll at all times trip for the Wizards by way of each period.
“D.C. is loyal, so we don’t switch up like that.”
There is, nevertheless, a brand new beacon of sunshine for the Wizards after a long time of both mediocrity or dropping seasons: former Brigham Young University ahead AJ Dybantsa, who was chosen with the primary decide within the 2026 NBA draft on Tuesday evening at Barclays Center. The 2026 first-team All-American is projected to be a franchise-altering star. As a freshman for the Cougars final year, Dybantsa averaged 25.5 factors, 6.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.1 steals per recreation.
“I’m just blessed, and I just give all the praise to the Lord, and my parents, and everybody that played with me,” Dybantsa stated Tuesday. “I’m just super blessed and honored that they recognize my talents, and they see me as something that they can use to keep building.”
The Wizards are additionally breaking in four-time All-Star Trae Young (acquired from the Atlanta Hawks final year) and 10-time All-Star Anthony Davis (acquired from the Dallas Mavericks). Returning is ahead Alexandre Sarr, the No. 2 decide within the 2024 draft, and several other different gifted younger gamers.
Now with Dybantsa, the hope is the Wizards can lastly develop into a playoff workforce that may carry NBA relevance again to Washington.
“I’ve visited the city plenty of times. I know the culture behind it, but I know that there are young team that’s just ready to go do big things in Eastern Conference,” Dybansta stated. “I positively just like the roster, seeing Trae an All-Star level guard, having a vet [like] Anthony Davis, and having a younger core that is simply constructing.
“I’m definitely excited to play with [Young], like I said, All-Star point guard, just a guy that you watched growing up in the league, just him paving the way. Obviously with him being in the Big 12, and me being in the Big 12, I was trying to break some of his records. But for him to be a teammate, it’s going to be better.”
John Wall (proper) continues to be a well-liked former Wizards competitor 16 years after he was drafted No. 1.Al Bello/Getty Images
The final time the Wizards had the No. 1 decide they chose Kentucky guard John Wall in 2010. Wall is arguably the most-popular dwelling Wizards competitor due to his All-Star move throughout his 10 seasons, philanthropic work and endearing neighborhood appearances like enjoying within the Goodman League Pro-Am through the summers.
Wizards followers additionally cherished his character as he danced “The Dougie” when referred to as throughout pre-game introductions. Wall was an excellent luck attraction this yr, as he was on the NBA Draft Lottery stage representing the Wizards after they landed the No. 1 decide on this yr’s draft.
The Wizards’ all-time chief in steals and assists provided phrases for knowledge for Dybantsa on and off the courtroom in D.C.
“You’ve better know about Go-Go [music], first of all, music-wise,” Wall advised Andscape. “But they love their sports activities in D.C. They need to get behind it. They want some pleasure. They want the subsequent Wizards’ franchise man they’ve been searching for to embrace the town. The metropolis goes to embrace you again, for certain.
“Most importantly, not just own the court, give back to the community. You have to go touch the community. You got to go down to Barry Farms, go see Miles’ [Rawles] crazy self. You have to do things that they don’t feel are forced. Just be true to yourself, authentic, show love to the fans and they will show love back to you.”
Dybantsa has been on a number of journeys to D.C. and was excited that Wale needed him within the metropolis, however stated he wasn’t accustomed to Go-Go music. He’s anticipated to be launched on Thursday in D.C.
For Wale, Wall, Dantley and long-suffering Washington followers comparable to Wizards senior vp and former Georgetown males’s basketball play-caller John Thompson III, NBC Sports NBA sideline reporter Zora Stephenson, Howard University males’s basketball play-caller Kenneth Blakeney, and former NBA guards Victor Oladipo and Omar Cook, there’s now an amazing feeling of hope after a long time of despair, frustration and disappointment.
They are additionally very pleased with the D.C. basketball historical past that comes again to life with the No. 1 decide and attainable Wizards rejuvenation.
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For instance, Washington native Edwin Bancroft Henderson is credited with introducing basketball to the nation’s capital in 1907, in keeping with the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. Henderson organized video games for Black youth all through metropolitan D.C., establishing the Interscholastic Athletic Association to construct highschool and faculty athletics in Washington’s Black neighborhood in 1904.
Before the NBA was built-in in 1950, Henderson sparked the beginning of the “Black Fives,” which have been all-Black, segregated skilled basketball groups that performed between 1904 and 1950. Nicknamed the “Father of Black Basketball,” Henderson was Howard University’s first males’s basketball play-caller and was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as a contributor.
“Our basketball history in D.C. goes back to coach Henderson and the Black Fives,” Blakeney, who starred at DeMatha Catholic High School, advised Andscape. “His contributions to basketball on this city and the relationship he had with Howard should always be remembered.”
High faculty basketball in Washington has remained an influence because the days of Henderson. Baylor dominated highschool basketball at a segregated time in D.C. at Spingarn High School. Hall of Fame boys’ basketball play-caller Morgan Wootten coached DeMatha simply exterior of D.C. for 46 seasons.
Wootten received 5 nationwide championships, coached 13 NBA gamers, together with Dantley, and coached DeMatha to an upset of New York’s Power Memorial High, led by future Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
“Every basketball player growing up wanted to go to DeMatha because Wooten was a great coach and great person who taught great fundamentals,” Dantley, a former DeMatha star, stated. “Every yr we had groups in our league ranked one, two, 4, 5 within the space. DeMatha was cream of the crop. Everyone needed to go to DeMatha due to Morgan’s fame…
“As far as the game itself and the area, D.C., basketball is what we are known for. We have some of the greatest players that have ever come out from this area.”
Legendary Georgetown head play-caller John Thompson (proper) had an enduring impression on basketball within the Washington D.C. space as the primary African American head play-caller to victory a Division I males’s basketball top spot.Manny Millan /Sports Illustrated through Getty Images
Today, the DMV is usually thought-about the very best highschool basketball space within the nation. The Washington Catholic Athletic Conference options a number of of the nation’s prime highschool basketball applications, comparable to Gonzaga College High School and Sidwell Friends, and is likely one of the hardest leagues nationally. Team Takeover, primarily based in D.C. and Baltimore, can also be thought-about one of many nation’s prime AAU basketball applications.
Oladipo, a former DeMatha star, stated the basketball expertise within the DMV space is “in the soil.”
“What makes D.C. basketball is that there is so much talent from one area,” Oladipo, a two-time NBA All-Star, advised Andscape. “It’s very different from an L.A. or Texas as far as size. It makes sense why so many people come from those areas because of size. We’re not as big, but we have just as much talent, if not more.”
Said Thompson III: “The good athletes here [in DMV] play basketball. I also think from the grassroots level, pee-wee level through high school, the level of coaching here is outstanding. The WCAC is the best [high school] conference in the country. It’s just elite. It goes back to Elgin Baylor. But basketball is king here in D.C.”
The Capital Classic in D.C. is the nation’s longest-running highschool basketball All-Star video games, because it pits the highest DMV gamers in opposition to the nation’s finest expertise.
Since 1975, the Goodman League has been one of many nation’s premier Pro-Am summer time leagues hosted on the Barry Farm Recreation Center.
Joe “Doc” Carr additionally used to host closed-door pickup video games in D.C. with the highest faculty basketball gamers within the space that included the likes of future Hall of Famers Grant Hill, Alonzo Mourning and Dikembe Mutombo, with faculty coaches comparable to Thompson II and Mike Krzyzewski getting sneak peeks at recruits.
Arguably the most important basketball presence ever in Washington got here from Georgetown University beneath Thompson II within the Nineteen Eighties. He led the Hoyas to a Division I nationwide top spot in 1984, grew to become the primary African American head play-caller to victory a Division I title, reached three Finals Fours, received seven Big East Conference titles and compiled a 596-239 general report.
The University of District of Columbia, an traditionally Black faculty, additionally received a Division II nationwide top spot in 1984.
Many African Americans followers of Georgetown dwelling exterior of the DMV thought the college was an HBCU due to its legendary Black play-caller and predominately Black workforce. The Hoyas produced legends who had Hall of Fame careers in Mourning, Mutombo, Patrick Ewing and Allen Iverson.
“There is not a two-week period that ever goes by in some city, not just D.C., where someone will come up to me and comment on how my father influenced them,” stated Thompson III, who coached at Georgetown from 2004-2017. “And 99 p.c of these folks by no means met him, by no means frolicked with him.
“But they watched from afar what he did, how he empowered himself, his athletes and the damn city, to be honest. That is something that still happens to this day, where people will come up to me and comment on how he inspired and influenced decisions they made in their lives.”
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The first notable professional basketball workforce in Washington, D.C., was the Washington Capitols from 1946-1951.
Their first head play-caller was Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Red Auerbach, who coached from 1946-49 earlier than departing to affix the Boston Celtics. He led the NBA franchise to 9 titles as a play-caller and 7 as an govt.
Capitols ahead Earl Lloyd grew to become the primary African American to move in an NBA recreation throughout his debut in opposition to Rochester Royals in Rochester, New York, on Oct. 31, 1950.
“The first time I met Earl Lloyd was at the Hall of Fame,” Dantley stated. “He would talk more about what he went through with racism being in the NBA at that time.”
The Capitols performed within the roughly 8,000-seat Uline Arena, which additionally hosted considered one of President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s inaugural balls in 1953, a Malcolm X speech in 1961, the primary Beatles live performance in America in 1964, and is now an REI retailer.
Before relocating to Virginia, the Washington Caps additionally performed their lone American Basketball Association year in 1969-70. That workforce featured future Hall of Famer Rick Barry.
The NBA’s Baltimore Bullets relocated to the D.C. suburb of Landover, Maryland, in 1973, principally as a result of then-owner Abe Pollin needed to maneuver into the bigger, extra worthwhile and privately funded enviornment referred to as the Capital Center.
The franchise was briefly referred to as the Capital Bullets earlier than being named the Washington Bullets. The Bullets initially obtained their nickname to honor Baltimore’s historical past of ammunition manufacturing.
The crimson, white and blue Bullets have been one of many NBA’s most dominant franchise within the Nineteen Seventies. They performed within the NBA Finals in 1971, 1975, 1978 and 1979.
Led by Hall of Famers Wes Unseld, Elvin Hayes and Bobby Dandridge, Washington received its lone NBA top spot in 1978, defeating the Seattle SuperSonics. Unseld is broadly thought-about the best competitor in franchise historical past as a 1978 Finals MVP, 1969 NBA MVP and five-time All-Star. Washington has not been again to the Finals since 1979.
Dantley stated that the Nineteen Seventies period of Bullets basketball was the very best professional basketball ever seen within the space.
“That was when they loved basketball here, when they had Big E (Haynes), Bobby Dandridge, Phil Chenier, Unseld and all of them,” stated Dantley, who performed in opposition to that Washington workforce. “Basketball was rocking then. That is what everybody wanted to see. That is when basketball was at its best here.”
Said Thompson III: “I keep in mind them primarily as a result of within the offseason they’d come to Georgetown to move. I went to Gonzaga High School and the colours have been purple and white. [Former Bullets forward] Mitch Kupchak introduced me some purple Nikes. You couldn’t inform me something. …
“Without a doubt it’s been forgotten. But there is a good reason it’s been forgotten. It’s been how many years? We haven’t had that kind of success or success period between now and then.”
Michael Jordan was within the final two years of his skilled profession in Washington however is remembered fondly by Wizards followers. “He still had the same aura, same respect with the Wizards,” Victor Oladipo stated.Mitchell Layton/NBAE through Getty Images
The Nineteen Eighties was the start of a downturn for the Bullets. NBA notables comparable to Moses Malone, Jeff Malone, Muggsy Bogues, Jeff Ruland, Manute Bol and Bernard King starred for the Bullets, however none of them might get the franchise into top spot rivalry.
Perhaps the most important information of the Nineties for the franchise was the rebrand of the Bullets to the Wizards in 1997 due to the previous being related to gun violence within the nation’s capital.
The Wizards additionally moved to downtown D.C. to the MCI Center (now Capital One Center), the place they nonetheless move in the present day. NBA stars Chris Webber, Juwan Howard, Rod Strickland and Rasheed Wallace donned the uniform however notable success didn’t comply with.
“We’ve been following them before they were even the Wizards,” Wale stated. “Growing up in the DMV, the Bullets were part of the fabric of the city. I remember watching guys like Chris Webber and Juwan Howard during that era.”
The greatest Wizards franchise information since their distant title was Jordan popping out of retirement in his late 30s to move for the franchise for 2 seasons, together with his ultimate NBA year in 2002-03. Jordan’s presence skyrocketed ticket gross sales house and away, bought jerseys, attracted world media consideration and boosted a financially stricken franchise.
Jordan’s time with the Wizards got here to a surprisingly bitter finish on May 7, 2003, when he was fired from his post-retirement place as president of basketball operations by proprietor Abe Pollin, citing front-office struggles and organizational friction.
“I remember Jordan being 40 still averaging 20,” Oladipo stated. “It seemed like the game came easy to him, even though he was beyond in terms of age during his time there. But he still had the same aura, same respect with the Wizards.”
Stephenson, 32, scored greater than 1,400 factors at Oakton High School in Vienna, Virginia, and her father had a mini-Wizards season-ticket package deal throughout her youth. During the Jordan years in Washington, she attended about 10 video games a yr however was too younger to know the importance.
“When you’re a kid you don’t realize what you’re watching in person,” Stephenson stated. “I’m reflecting on it now and I was able to see his last chapter. I didn’t fathom that as a kid. How awesome was that? I had a [Antawn] Jamison jersey, not a Jordan jersey. Jamison was my favorite player.”
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Cook stated Wizards followers have been “super hyped for the greatness” of Jordan but additionally cherished watching the brightest NBA stars from different groups present greatness as effectively.
“When Michael Jordan came back, my dad would take me and a friend to as many games as possible during those two years,” Cook advised Andscape. “I went to LeBron [James’] first recreation at MCI Center with my entire AAU workforce. Any time the [Los Angeles] Lakers or Allen Iverson got here to city, my dad would attempt to get me within the constructing. I grew up going to many Wizards video games, for certain. …
“But one thing about D.C. is we appreciate hoop. If a guy [from another team] has it going on and they got 30 going into the fourth quarter, we want to see greatness. We want to see you get 40 or 50. Wizards fans want to see the Wizards win, but we respect real hoop and greatness being played. If you’re killing, there are going to be some oohs and aahs. They might start cheering for you at the end of the day.”
Hot-scoring guard Gilbert Arenas, generally known as “Agent Zero” and “Hibachi,” outlined the post-Jordan period of Wizards basketball from 2003 to 2010 together with his massive scoring video games, buzzer-beater pictures and relentless offensive move. The three-time NBA All-Star remodeled the Wizards right into a playoff contender and averaged 29.3 factors per recreation through the 2005-06 year. Led by Arenas, Jamison, Larry Hughes and Caron Butler, the Wizards went to the playoffs from 2005-08.
But in December 2009, Arenas and Wizards teammate Javaris Crittenton introduced unloaded weapons into their locker room following a heated argument over a playing debt. Both have been suspended and pleaded responsible to gun fees. Arenas was traded to the Orlando Magic in December 2010.
“I know more about it now than I did back then,” Stephenson stated. “All I knew was that there was a gun in the locker room. I didn’t look into details of it. I don’t think my parents wanted to give me all the full details. As a Wizards fan, the first or second round of the playoffs mean something to us. You felt like we were trying to get over the hump. We could just never get there.”
Said Wale: “Gilbert, Antawn Jamison, Caron Butler were the GOATs. Gilbert especially; he made basketball in D.C. feel cool in a way that resonated with the whole city.”
Luckily for the Wizards, that they had their successor to Arenas in Wall.
Wall was chosen with the primary general decide within the 2010 NBA draft. The five-time NBA All-Star was a godsend for Washington as he earned profession averages of 19 factors, 9.2 assists and 1.7 steals from 2010-2020 but additionally made an impression domestically together with his neighborhood work. Alongside sharpshooter Bradley Beal, the Wizards made the Eastern Conference semifinals 3 times.
“When John Wall and Bradley Beal had their run, Wizards games were packed,” Cook stated.
Wale, a lifelong Washington Bullets/Wizards fan, says Washington, D.C., can rally across the No. 1 decide.Leon Bennett/WireImage
The Wizards had one other irritating marketing campaign with a 17-65 report final year. Washington, nevertheless, acquired Young and Davis, who performed sparingly due to accidents however added hope. The Wizards entered the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery on May 10 with a 14% probability of touchdown the highest decide in what’s projected to be probably the greatest drafts in league historical past.
With Wall representing the Wizards, the franchise landed the No. 1 decide and their loyal and affected person followers rejoiced on social media as in the event that they received a title. Wall stated he was shocked.
“I’ve been waiting a long time for a moment like this,” Wale stated. “Nothing is guaranteed, but getting the No. 1 pick gives the city something to rally around. It’s exciting.”
The pleasure for the Wizards’ No. 1 decide is so massive in Washington that there are two main draft events tonight.
Wall, Wizards radio broadcasters Dave Johnson and Glenn Consor and present and former Wizards gamers have been at a draft celebration at The Anthem in D.C. Howard University males’s basketball program additionally hosted a watch celebration at Morton’s Steakhouse, with Blakeney, Cook and Howard GM Daniel Marks among the many dignitaries there.
Howard has a number of NBA ties. Wall was named Howard’s president of basketball operations in April. Howard guard Bryce Harris additionally has labored out for the Oklahoma City Thunder and the New Orleans Pelicans, and he has the potential to signal a two-way NBA contract.
“It’s a great way to not only connect basketball and bring people together, but we’re also exposing more people to Howard who may not be as familiar to our program,” Blakeney stated of Howard’s NBA connections. “It’s a house run. …
“We’ve gotten more interested in the NBA game. We thought it would be great to share that with our fans and with the DMV community.”
Today’s Wizards haven’t performed within the postseason or had an All-Star since 2021. Washington has the worst report within the NBA since 2000 with a .399 successful share (869-309) over the previous 26 years.
Washington’s final NBA Finals and Eastern Conference finals look was in 1979, however with the No. 1 decide within the draft, Young and Davis, Sarr and several other gifted younger gamers on roster, the Wizards and their followers imagine they’ve playoff potential.
Wall has excessive expectations for the new-look Wizards.
“They can be a top-five team in the East, top-four team because they feel like the conference is open,” Wall stated.
Said Dantley: “I don’t go to games on a regular basis. I only go when friends are in town. But next season I will just see what they do. There is no doubt that with the team that they have that they should make the playoffs.”
The New York Knicks successful an NBA top spot for the primary time in 53 years this year has allowed less-fortunate franchises just like the Wizards to dream once more. Washington has reasonable hopes of creating the playoffs subsequent year.
While successful a title appears farfetched in the mean time, probably the most ardent of Wizards followers can envision a top spot parade within the nation’s capital.
“You stay with your team and your community and know that one day you’re going to get to celebrate the payoff,” Wale stated. “Look at what just happened for the Knicks’ fans.”
Marc J. Spears is the senior NBA author for Andscape. He used to have the ability to dunk on you, however he hasn’t been capable of in years and his knees nonetheless harm.
