The Washington Wizards officially secured the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft on Sunday in Chicago, giving the franchise its first top selection since drafting John Wall in 2010.
The moment carried extra symbolism for the organization, as Wall represented the Wizards on stage during the NBA Draft Lottery, a full-circle moment acknowledged by Monumental Basketball President Michael Winger following the announcement.
Speaking with Double Take Sports on-site after the lottery, Winger reflected on the significance of having the franchise’s last No. 1 overall pick present as Washington earned the opportunity to potentially add its next one.
“To have the last No. 1 pick on the dais to welcome the possibility of adding the next No. 1 pick…it was terrific,” Winger said. “It was a symbiosis between sort of John and the hope of our future.”
Washington entered the night with a 14% chance of landing the top selection and will now pick first overall for the fifth time in franchise history.
The result marks another major milestone in the Wizards’ rebuild, though Winger suggested the organization believes its timeline already shifted earlier this year following the additions of Trae Young and Anthony Davis.
“Well, I think that we sort of accelerated our rebuild in January and February by acquiring Trae Young and Anthony Davis,” Winger told Double Take Sports. “But really, we sort of are just following the lead of our young players.”
Winger added that the rapid development of Washington’s young core convinced the organization the team was ready to take another step competitively.
“Our young athletes sort of told us by virtue of their performance, by virtue of how much better they’re getting and how quickly they’re getting better, that they were ready for the next step,” Winger said.
The Wizards now find themselves positioned to potentially select projected No. 1 prospect AJ Dybantsa, who also spoke with Double Take Sports immediately following the lottery.
Asked about the possibility of landing in Washington, Dybantsa expressed confidence in both himself and the Wizards’ situation.
“I’m betting on myself to be the number 1 pick,” Dybantsa said. “I think I’m very adaptable. I think I could play anywhere. Obviously they have a great young core, have a couple good vets there. So I think I’ll be solid over there.”
The 2026 NBA Draft will take place June 23-24 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, where the Wizards will officially make the first selection in the draft for the first time in 16 years.