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AJ Dybantsa is among the early front-runners to win Rookie of the Year, but the former BYU forward has a different goal on his mind: Leading the Washington Wizards back to the playoffs.
Dybantsa was a consensus first-team All-American with the Cougars, averaging 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.1 steals while shooting 33.1% from 3-point range. He led the country in scoring after totaling 894 points, the third-most by a freshman in history.
The 19-year-old enters next season with plenty of hype as the No. 1 pick and is welcoming those heightened expectations. Playing alongside veterans Anthony Davis and Trae Young, along with the rest of the roster, Dybantsa is aiming to help snap a five-year playoff drought.
"That's the main thing," Dybantsa said on the "Road Trippin' Show" with Allie Clifton, Channing Frye and Richard Jefferson. "If I make it to the playoffs, I think Rookie of the Year will come, Rising Stars will come—all that good stuff. My main goal is to make the playoffs."
Dybantsa debuted with the Wizards in the NBA Summer League, averaging 25 points, seven rebounds, 2.5 steals, two assists and 1.5 blocks in two games. He tied with teammate Will Riley for the third-highest scoring average among all players in Las Vegas.
The 6-foot-9 Dybantsa dazzled in his nearly 51 total minutes on the court, utilizing his combination of size, physicality and athleticism to get to his spots. He also seemed to get in the paint at will, converting several tough finishes and throwing down highlight-reel dunks.
Dybantsa will benefit by playing with Davis and Young, and the rest of the Wizards' core, including Alexandre Sarr, Bub Carrington, Kyshawn George and Tre Johnson. He should be in store for a productive rookie campaign, while helping the Wizards turn things around on the court.
This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: Wizards' AJ Dybantsa reveals 'main goal' for upcoming rookie season
Continue reading...
Dybantsa was a consensus first-team All-American with the Cougars, averaging 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.1 steals while shooting 33.1% from 3-point range. He led the country in scoring after totaling 894 points, the third-most by a freshman in history.
The 19-year-old enters next season with plenty of hype as the No. 1 pick and is welcoming those heightened expectations. Playing alongside veterans Anthony Davis and Trae Young, along with the rest of the roster, Dybantsa is aiming to help snap a five-year playoff drought.
"That's the main thing," Dybantsa said on the "Road Trippin' Show" with Allie Clifton, Channing Frye and Richard Jefferson. "If I make it to the playoffs, I think Rookie of the Year will come, Rising Stars will come—all that good stuff. My main goal is to make the playoffs."
Dybantsa debuted with the Wizards in the NBA Summer League, averaging 25 points, seven rebounds, 2.5 steals, two assists and 1.5 blocks in two games. He tied with teammate Will Riley for the third-highest scoring average among all players in Las Vegas.
The 6-foot-9 Dybantsa dazzled in his nearly 51 total minutes on the court, utilizing his combination of size, physicality and athleticism to get to his spots. He also seemed to get in the paint at will, converting several tough finishes and throwing down highlight-reel dunks.
Dybantsa will benefit by playing with Davis and Young, and the rest of the Wizards' core, including Alexandre Sarr, Bub Carrington, Kyshawn George and Tre Johnson. He should be in store for a productive rookie campaign, while helping the Wizards turn things around on the court.
This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: Wizards' AJ Dybantsa reveals 'main goal' for upcoming rookie season
Continue reading...
