Washington Wizards guard Trae Young is preparing for his first season out of Atlanta, and the vibes couldn’t be better. Despite his new team being historically irrelevant, Trae is looking forward to leading a new era of Wizards basketball that could redefine their place in the NBA hierarchy.
While opening night is still months away, it didn’t stop the All-Star point guard from showing his support tonight. With his teammates scheduled for a showdown against the Utah Jazz at NBA Summer League, Trae made his presence known courtside, where he was seen in the company of his new teammates: Anthony Davis, Alex Sarr, and Kyshawn George.
Anthony Davis, Trae Young, Alex Sarr, Kyshawn George pulled up to AJ Dybantsa vs. Darryn Peterson. 🔥🍿 pic.twitter.com/bSv4uqusKO
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) July 10, 2026
The whole basketball world was tuned in tonight to watch the top two picks (AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson) go to battle for the first time as NBA players. While it wasn’t a regular-season game, there was a lot of intensity and emotion on the floor as both teams played with passion.
AJ DYBANTSA VS. DARRYN PETERSON 1 V. 1
FANS ARE LOVING IT. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/uiQU3tOQ4U
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) July 10, 2026
Out of all the players on the floor, however, it was Dybantsa who stole the show. He was putting on the moves all night and ended with 17 points, four rebounds, two assists, and one steal in the first half alone. By the end, he finished with 27 points, seven rebounds, and two steals in a 92-88 win. Peterson, meanwhile, was held to 24 points, three rebounds, and three assists on 6-18 shooting. For Trae, it was hardly a surprising development, as he’s fully aware of what AJ is capable of on both ends of the floor.
“It’s not surprising to me,” said Young in a courtside chat with ESPN. “Tre, Jamir, and JuJu are playing really well, even AJ. He looks comfortable. It’s not surprising to me, and it’s probably not a surprise to a lot of people around here.”
It’s still too early to draw any conclusions about Dybantsa, but he’s looking like the star scouts predicted. This summer, he’s putting everything on display, giving Wizards fans hope for a bright future. At the very least, the team seems poised for a major breakout season, although Trae did not clarify where the ceiling lies.
“We just have to wait and see; it’s a day-by-day process. I don’t want to put a ceiling,” Young added. “The ceiling for every team is a championship. Everybody wants to put a ceiling on a team, but you don’t really know until you start playing games. So, we just have to go out there and let the games do the talking.”
For a team that finished 15th in the standings last season, things have changed quickly. The arrival of Trae and Davis pushed the team into win-now mode, but the need for player development remains. As good as AJ looks now, it will take time for him to reach his peak, but he’ll be ready to play meaningful minutes on day one.
Behind the overwhelming support of his teammates, Dybantsa is showing the world why he was the number one pick this summer, but the work has only just begun. Between now and October, AJ will be tirelessly working to ensure that he’s ready to make an impact and help the Wizards finally become a competitive team in the East.
