The Washington Wizards selected AJ Dybantsa with the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA draft on Tuesday. One of Dybantsa’s early priorities appears to be taking uniform No. 3 from teammate Trae Young, who joined the Wizards in a January trade from the Atlanta Hawks.
Young switched his jersey from 11 to 3 after arriving in Washington. He previously wore No. 3 at Norman North High School in Oklahoma. The franchise’s No. 11 is retired in honor of Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Elvin Hayes.
On Gilbert Arenas’ podcast in June, Dybantsa said, “If they draft me, I do need 3, Trae. If they draft me. You never know, we gonna see in like five weeks.” Dybantsa wore No. 3 during his lone season at BYU and throughout high school. The Wizards’ selection makes Dybantsa the third player the franchise has taken No. 1 since it moved to Washington in 1973, according to ESPN Research.
Young welcomed Dybantsa to the team but indicated conversations about the jersey number would take place later. Young is an eight-year NBA veteran, and Dybantsa joins a roster that also includes Young and 10-time All-Star Anthony Davis.
Young plans to sign a four-year contract worth approximately $212 million, with a player option in Year 4, sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania. That reported deal leaves open the question of which number Young will wear while Dybantsa is expected to be part of the team during the contract’s term.
