NEW YORK — Two hours before the 2026 NBA draft, fans wearing gear from teams across the league lined up at the Barclays Center in Downtown Brooklyn.
Graphics on the giant screens above the doors displayed the top projected draft picks, including AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson and Cameron Boozer.
Many local fans were wearing jerseys from the Brooklyn Nets and the defending champion New York Knicks.
Aside from them, many fans were sporting gear from the Washington Wizards and the Utah Jazz, as the teams held the first and second picks in the first round, respectively.
“I was born in 1977. The Wizards won the title in 1978. I was one year old, and they were the Bullets back then,” said Patrick Heller, a lifelong Wizards fan.
While Heller expressed general sadness he’s felt about the Wizards in recent years, he was notably excited and hopeful about how this year's draft would help his team.
“I’m looking for Dybantsa. I’m hoping that he comes to Washington. This is an opportunity for us to really set the stage for the future,” said Heller.
A similar outlook was expressed by a fellow Wizards fan, Sam Mejia.
“I’m hoping for Dybantsa. Although everybody is really good, I think he just fits our team really well, and I think it’s the clear option. I hope we don’t pivot from that,” said Mejia. “I just see a lot of potential.”
Many Utah Jazz fans also had similar opinions regarding the impact of the draft on their team. New York resident and Jazz fan Chris Pellegrini described this draft as “the biggest draft in Jazz history.”
“I think fit-wise, Darryn Peterson, but AJ Dybantsa would just be so cool staying in Utah. That would be awesome,” said Pellegrini.
Dybantsa’s remarkable season at BYU had many Jazz fans expressing the sentiment to keep him in Utah. Jasen Fuller, a lifetime Jazz fan and Utah native, is excited to see what this draft will bring to his team.
“Man, I want AJ, but I don’t know if it’s gonna be available,” said Fuller.
Just hours later, the Washington Wizards used their No. 1 pick to select Dybantsa. The crowd inside the Barclays Center roared with excitement as Dybantsa walked to the stage.
The Utah Jazz soon after used their No. 2 pick to select Peterson. His announcement also sparked excitement and cheers from the crowd.