Dybantsa Makes Wizards Debut Against Peterson as No. 1 and No. 2 Picks Renew Rivalry
Updated
Updated · Deseret News · Jul 9
Dybantsa Makes Wizards Debut Against Peterson as No. 1 and No. 2 Picks Renew Rivalry
3 articles · Updated · Deseret News · Jul 9
Summary
Thursday’s 7 p.m. MDT Summer League opener in Las Vegas will mark AJ Dybantsa’s first game for Washington against Utah guard Darryn Peterson, the No. 2 pick taken right after him.
Peterson enters with momentum after averaging 26.5 points and 7.0 assists over two Salt Lake City Summer League games, while Dybantsa is still awaiting his first Wizards appearance.
Their matchup already carries history: Peterson scored 18 points in Kansas’ January win over BYU and dropped 58 in a 2025 high school victory over Dybantsa, who had 49.
That backdrop has turned a routine Summer League game into an early measuring stick for two rookies likely to be compared throughout their NBA careers.
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Dybantsa vs. Peterson: 2026 NBA Summer League Debut and In-Depth Rookie Class Breakdown
Overview
The 2026 NBA Summer League kicks off on July 9, 2026, in Las Vegas with a highly anticipated matchup between AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson, the top two picks of the recent draft. This game marks Dybantsa’s first official Summer League appearance and their first head-to-head meeting since draft night, which was just sixteen days earlier. As rookies begin their journeys with new teams and cities, all eyes will be on this clash, offering fans an exciting first look at these promising talents and setting the stage for the rest of the rookie class.