It has been nearly a half-century since Washington were real championship contenders in the NBA.

Now, AJ Dybantsa's arrival represents a potential turning point for a franchise that could really use one.

The Wizards took Dybantsa with the first overall pick in Tuesday's (Wednesday AEST) NBA draft. The 6-foot-9 freshman averaged 25.5 points at BYU last season.

Born in Boston, Dybantsa played at Utah Prep in high school before staying in state for his one year in college.

"I was just super confident. I've been betting on myself for a while now," Dybantsa said.

"Since about ninth grade I've been No.1, so I didn't really plan on dropping in the draft."

The Wizards won an NBA title in 1978, back when they were called the Bullets. But they have not won 50 games since 1979, which was also the last time they so much as reached the conference finals.

Washington blew the top pick in 2001, taking Kwame Brown. The Wizards fared better in 2010 with John Wall at No.1 overall, and he at least helped them get past the first round of the post-season.

That era eventually ran its course, and not even a brief visit from Russell Westbrook in 2020-21 could make Washington particularly relevant.

The Wizards drafted big man Alex Sarr at No.2 overall in 2024, and the roster also includes recent first-round picks Tre Johnson, Bub Carrington, Bilal Coulibaly, Kyshawn George, Will Riley and Cam Whitmore.

Even before they won this year's lottery, there were signs they would be a lot more interesting in 2026-27. They traded for Trae Young and Anthony Davis last season, and although Davis didn't play at all for Washington and Young barely did, Dybantsa is joining a team that has some intriguing talent around him.

"Obviously they have a great young core, and the potential is there," Dybantsa said.

"Them adding me, I think I can help them a little bit.

"Them re-signing Trae Young, them having AD and having good vets along with our young core, I think we can do big things."

In other draft news, Karim Lopez became the first Mexican-born player drafted in the first round.

The 6-foot-8 forward, who spent the past two seasons playing with the New Zealand Breakers in Australia's highly regarded NBL competition, was taken by Detroit and his rights were later acquired by the Memphis Grizzlies.

Memphis added the forward at No. 21 after twice trading back from No.16 in a series of moves that returned five future second-round picks.

Lopez played two seasons in Australia's NBL Next Stars developmental program that produced lottery picks LaMelo Ball, Josh Giddey and Alex Sarr in recent years. Lopez just turned 19 in April.

"It means a lot to me," said Lopez, who turned 19 in April.

"It's just a great opportunity for me and my country to have this platform and have this opportunity. So super blessed and definitely take it with a lot of pride."

Lopez averaged 11.9 points and 6.1 rebounds for the Breakers last season.

TOP FIVE DRAFT PICKS:

1. Washington Wizards ? AJ Dybantsa (forward)

2. Utah Jazz ? Darryn Peterson (guard)

3. Memphis Grizzlies ? Cameron Boozer (forward/centre)

4. Chicago Bulls ? Caleb Wilson (forward)

5. Los Angeles Clippers ? Keaton Wagler (guard).

- with Reuters