AJ Dybantsa Cut From Wizards Summer League After Two Games

Rookie’s Early Summer League Exit

The Washington Wizards have removed rookie AJ Dybantsa from the NBA summer league after only two games. Associate head coach T.J. Sorrentine revealed the decision to The Athletic on Tuesday, confirming the team would not continue using the 2026 No. 1 overall pick in Las Vegas. The move ends a brief but luminous stint for the BYU product.

In those two contests Dybantsa delivered eye‑catching numbers. He posted a 27‑point performance in his debut and added 23 points in the second game, finishing with an average of 25 points, seven rebounds and two assists. Those figures turned him into one of the early story lines of summer league.

The Wizards are also pulling second‑year guards Will Riley and Tre Johnson from the summer league, according to the same source. Riley and Johnson had been expected to contribute depth during the exhibition schedule. The trio’s departures suggest Washington is prioritizing controlled development over extended Vegas exposure.

Context for Top Picks’ Brief Stints

Dybantsa’s sudden withdrawal follows a pattern seen with recent top draft picks. Last season’s No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg played only two games for the Dallas Mavericks before being shut down, and Victor Wembanyama, then a rookie with the San Antonio Spurs, also left after two contests in 2023. Summer league shows often serve as brief showcases rather than full‑season assessments.

The decision signals that Washington is managing the workload of its prized rookie as he transitions from college to the NBA. Fans will have to wait until the regular season to see how Dybantsa fits into the Wizards’ lineup, but his early scoring burst hinted at the kind of scoring punch the team hopes to develop. The next few months will be crucial for his adjustment to the professional level.