AJ Dybantsa spent Game 3 of the NBA Finals on the bench and in the practice facility, watching a young Spurs squad built around recent high draft picks. He sees a path to rapid NBA impact similar to San Antonio’s rise after drafting Victor Wembanyama. The prospect’s adaptability and work ethic, he says, could translate quickly to the pros in the modern NBA.

The Washington Wizards hold the No. 1 pick in June’s draft and are expected to select Dybantsa after his standout lone college season, where he averaged 25.5 points and 3.7 assists. He has not spoken with any team since the combine, but he’s training three times daily, hoping his inside scoring and playmaking fit the Wizards’ rebuild for a franchise seeking a new identity.

Having visited the Spurs in Paris last year and now serving as an NBA player correspondent at the Finals, Dybantsa absorbs insights from veterans like Shaquille O’Neal. He believes his ability to finish at the rim and distribute to teammates makes him a natural playmaker. If the Wizards choose him, they add a scorer who could contribute immediately and give fans a fresh storyline.