AJ Dybantsa is making his case to be the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft: ‘I fill seats’

CHICAGO — AJ Dybantsa could be the presumptive No. 1 pick in subsequent month’s NBA Draft, however he is taking nothing without any consideration.

He is treating the week-long NBA Draft Combine — which is jam-packed with measurements, on-court drills, introductory interviews with groups and interviews with the media — like an prolonged audition.

He arrived at his conversations with groups — the Washington WizardsUtah Jazz, Memphis Grizzlies, Chicago Bulls, LA Clippers, Atlanta Hawks and Dallas Mavericks as of midday Wednesday, he stated — in a go well with and tie.

On Wednesday, he even confirmed up for his 20-minute question-and-answer session with reporters and broadcasters dressed in a grey plaid go well with, darkish blue gown shirt and a tie with notes of blue. Year after 12 months, prospects sometimes present up carrying cozy sweats to their media interviews. But not him.

“I had interviews this morning with different teams, and I mean, I never had a job before,” Dybantsa stated. “I was 13 (when I) started taking basketball seriously. But this is like my first job interview. So my dad’s kind of like, ‘You know, this is your job interview. So come professional, come in a suit.'”

Dybantsa, an explosive wing from BYU who stated he desires to be picked No. 1, has purpose to see this week as a tryout. He faces competitors for the prime spot from Kansas guard Darryn Peterson, Duke huge Cameron Boozer and North Carolina ahead Caleb Wilson.

The Wizards won the draft lottery and owned the top pickadopted by the Jazz at No. 2, the Grizzlies at No. 3 and the Bulls at No. 4.

All 4 gamers continued to make their draft circumstances Wednesday. Each prospect was requested by the assembled media some variation of why he ought to be the prime pick or what he’ll carry to an NBA group.

“I’m super versatile as a player,” Dybantsa stated. “I think I can guard one through four, play one through four. I think that I can play a little bit of combo guard if you need me to. I can be that jumbo wing if you need me to. I play the game the right way. So I try to play to win, try to make my teammates better. But I’m super exciting as a player, super explosive. I fill seats.”

Boozer was requested to title the talent he possesses that can switch instantly to the NBA.

“I think my mind, for sure,” Boozer answered.

“I just think my feel for the game is elite. My competitiveness, my will to win, I think those are the biggest things that are going to translate.”

Peterson stated he had interviewed with roughly 10 groups as of noon Wednesday, together with the Wizards, Jazz and Grizzlies.

“I think I can fit with any team just because I think I can play both off and on the ball and help my team wherever I go,” Peterson advised reporters.

There has been hypothesis that Peterson solely desires to go to a group that views him as some extent guard, stemming in half from comments he made to Andscape that he’s at his best as a point guard. On Wednesday, nevertheless, when he was requested straight whether or not he would cross a group off his listing if it considers him solely as a two-guard, he answered, “Nah, no, sir. I mean, at the end of the day, whoever wants to pick you is probably going to pick you. So if they come in and say I’m a two-guard, I’m familiar with it now (from playing at Kansas), so I’ll just make a way.”

A pair of hand accidents restricted Wilson to solely 24 video games at North Carolina. On Feb. 10, he broke a bone in his left hand when he tried to block a shot and fell to the floor. On March 5, he fractured his proper thumb when he struck the rim throughout a observe drill.

Wilson stated the Jazz, Bulls, Clippers, Brooklyn Nets and Charlotte Hornets are amongst the groups which have interviewed him. He has an interview scheduled Thursday with the Wizards, and he possible has an upcoming interview with the Grizzlies, too.

Asked what he’ll carry to a group, Wilson answered, “Leadership and focus, honestly. Of course, I can score. Of course, I can rebound and do all those things. But I feel like being a leader and really being able to kind of impact winning and impact the culture of the team is going to be something I really bring from day one.

“I never really felt like my hand injury was a setback,” Wilson added. “Of course, I used to be heartbroken when it occurred. But my hand’s completely tremendous now, and I really feel prefer it supplied me a distinct perspective on basketball in normal, simply because as soon as I injured my hand, now I’m far more grateful to play. Every day I get up and I get the alternative to play and simply be in a position to shoot and dribble and stuff like that. I simply really feel grateful for the alternative, and I wasn’t as grateful as I’m now.”

Wilson said he would be happy to go to any team that believes in him.

In the immediate moments after the Wizards won the lottery, Dybantsa appeared stone-faced, prompting at least some observers to speculate that he does not want to play for the team and prefers to go somewhere else.

He said he would be happy to go to any team.

“I actually had no response in any respect, and other people discovered methods to say that I did not need it. I did need it,” Dybantsa said. “But all of it comes with social media. People are going to make narratives. I simply tried not to react in any respect, simply hold a straight face, strive to keep even-keeled.”

It’s an extension of his businesslike method to the week.

Every week with no ensures he’ll be chosen No. 1.