The Washington Wizards just saw AJ Dybantsa drop 19 points on eight-of-12 shooting in his NBA debut. He already looks like an elite scorer and one of the best players on the floor. The number one overall pick had nine points in his first six minutes and proved he can operate with or without the ball. It was impressive and went completely differently than Alex Sarr’s first game.
The big man was the second overall pick in the 2024 draft, but many believed Sarr should have gone first. The Hawks took Zaccharie Risacher, which let Sarr slide to Washington. The Wizards were tanking for a top pick and thought they landed a future star.
It was clear from his NBA debut that Sarr would struggle. He had two points, five rebounds, one assist, and two blocks in a blowout loss to the Celtics. Sarr made just one of his seven field goal attempts as the Wizards were outscored by 24 points with the big man on the floor. It was a disastrous debut, but things look different with Dybantsa.
AJ Dybantsa is already an elite scorer
Sarr was the second overall pick, but he didn’t grade out to be a future star. There were questions about his strength, scoring, and 3-point shot. Wizards fans have seen the struggles since day one. Even in his third NBA season, Sarr has issues making shots, but is never afraid to fire away.
Dybantsa drew a foul for two easy points 16 seconds into his debut. He attacked off the dribble, hit a catch-and-shoot three, and caught a lob in the first half. This wasn’t against a rebuilding team. The Cavaliers were in the conference finals last year, and they struggled to stop the 6’9 rookie.
AJ Dybantsa instant impact to begin his career 🔥
— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) October 29, 2026
His 9 first quarter points are the most by a Wizards rookie in their debut since 1997-98 👏 pic.twitter.com/tXo5KInY3k
Dybantsa can already get to his spots and just had the best debut of a rookie in this class. He wasn’t just filling up the stat sheet. Dybantsa was scoring within the flow of the offense and helping Washington succeed. They hung tough with the Cavaliers for three quarters before losing the game in the fourth.
The Wizards were outscored by 53 points in Sarr’s 74 minutes through his first three NBA games. He lacks an elite NBA skill and has still not blossomed into a star. Dybantsa is an entirely different story.
Alex Sarr can’t create shots or stretch the floor
The seven-footer is coming off his best game of the season. Sarr had 18 points, four rebounds, two assists, four steals, and one block in Dybantsa’s debut. He got a season-high 11 field goal attempts and made seven. The rookie created more space, and Sarr capitalized.
The 21-year-old is still averaging just 10.6 points per game and shooting 23.1 percent on his 3-point attempts. He has been efficient finishing around the rim, which has been a massive improvement. It is everywhere else that Sarr has struggled through five games.
The Wizards traded for Trae Young and Anthony Davis to give them needed top-end talent. It has pushed Sarr down the offensive pecking order and forced him to play primarily with another big man.
Sarr isn’t breaking down the defense like Dybantsa and is a career 31.3 percent 3-point shooter. Without a dominant inside presence, that is not the recipe to be a star big man. Just like his 2-point debut foreshadowed, Sarr’s offensive game must improve. Things are a bit different with AJ.
AJ Dybantsa has superstar written all over him
All the best players in the NBA drop 25-plus points every night. Dybantsa might do that as a rookie. He had 19 points in 27 minutes in his first game after missing over a week with an ankle injury. Fans saw the flashes in the preseason, and they immediately translated to the regular season in his first game.
The Wizards are using Young as a table setter for their young squad. His ability to create open looks will make life easier for the rookie. AJ can get a bucket when he needs to or let his four-time All-Star guard find him an easy look.
Dybantsa scored 25.5 points per game in his lone season at BYU. He is going to be an elite scorer. The 6’9 forward must round out his game to be a superstar. The desire is there, so fans should expect Dybantsa to reach those heights.
This is completely different than Alex Sarr. The big man struggled in his NBA debut, and all fans could talk about was his potential in year one. Dybantsa is already doing it. That is the difference. Sarr is a quality starter in his prime, but not an All-Star. Dybantsa may be one of the five best players on the planet.
The Washington Wizards spent years tanking trying to get a number one option. They finally found him in AJ Dybantsa. Washington had a top-two pick in Alex Sarr, but he isn’t going to be a superstar. It took a second crack, but the Wizards finally got their man. Dybantsa’s debut was just the beginning. This teenager is special and will take the NBA by storm.
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