For many NBA fan bases, March basketball is the most stressful time of the year. With the postseason approaching, teams are looking to finish strong and lock up a top seed.
It’s a problem Washington surely wishes it had, facing yet another losing season in 2025. However, March remains a very important time for the team, for a different reason.
March is a time for the franchise to dive into scouting this year’s draft prospects, as they take on the gauntlet that is the NCAA Tournament. Many of the potential future Wizards will play the biggest games of their lives this weekend, looking to prove themselves to Washington and the NBA.
So who are the players to watch for Washington come tournament time? And how do they fit into the Wizards’ future? With one of the deepest draft classes in recent memory, there should be plenty for D.C fans to be excited about this weekend.
Cameron Boozer, Duke
Our first name may be a familiar one for Wizards fans. The Duke star is the son of former NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer, whose career high actually came against Washington back in 2007.
This Boozer has the potential to be a game-changer for this Washington team, one in desperate need of a young big man to bolster their roster. The Duke forward looks like a player who has a high floor at the NBA level, due to how developed he already is offensively. He’s averaging 22.4 PPG, on 56/40/77 shooting splits.
Boozer’s play off-the-ball will be a serious question when determining whether he’ll end up a Wizard. After all, the Wizards will have plenty of talented ball-handlers and creators across their roster.
The team is most in need of a wing who can be a dependable defender and shooter from beyond next to the team’s young stars, both areas where Boozer has struggled. However, the player’s overall talent may be too much to pass up on, one of the most polished NBA prospects in a long time.
AJ Dybansta, BYU
Dybansta is the player Wizards fans have seemingly been the most excited about, for good reason. The 6 '9 forward is the easiest projected fit into Washington’s offense, given his strengths relative to the team’s young talent.
Dybansta has been the country’s leading scorer this season, averaging 25 PPG for a talented BYU squad. While not the most efficient player, he’s shown an ability to attack all 3 levels of a defense. The star is a fantastic shooter from anywhere on the floor, as well as an elite driver.
With Washington in desperate need of more wings to stretch the floor, Dybansta would be a perfect fit. His ability as a catch-and-shoot player, and even his talents creating his own shot, would be a huge boost for the Washington offense.
The star has also flashed as a defender, with his athleticism for his size matching up well against fellow wings. It’s easy to imagine him slotting in well next to young talents Kyshawn George and Alex Sarr, giving Washington a talented young frontcourt with lots of defensive versatility.
A prime fit on both ends of the floor, Dybansta will be a must-watch for Wizards faithful this March.
Darryn Peterson, Kansas
Of the top 3 players in this draft, Peterson is by far the most problematic fit for Washington. The wizards’ roster is chock-full of young and talented guards with Tre Johnson, Bilal Coulibaly, and Bub Carrington, without even mentioning the all-star talent of Trae Young.
Peterson’s talents may be too much to pass up on, however. The Kansas star has shown the best flashes of any player in this class, one of the most talented guard prospects we’ve seen in recent years.
Peterson has the potential to be an uber-efficient offensive player, as well as a stellar defender due to his physical traits. The question will remain: can he stay healthy? Much has been made of the star’s absence in 11 games this season, at times even checking himself out of games due to health concerns.
Despite being a strange fit, Peterson would be incredibly intriguing if he falls to the Wizards, due to his talents on both ends of the floor. But the team must be wary of his health concerns, before taking a large risk.
The Wizards may have to consider other options.
While a top-3 pick, and acquiring one of these 3 talented players is Washington’s goal, there’s a chance the NBA lottery doesn’t fall their way.
If that scenario were to unfold, here are some players to watch, if the worst-case scenario were to come true:
G Braylon Mullins, UConn
F Nate Ament, Tennessee
F Thomas Haugh, Florida
F Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan
F Koa Peat, Arizona
Keep your eyes peeled as March Madness unfolds, because there's a high chance you'll be catching a glimpse of a future Wizard in action.