Overview
- The Washington Wizards confirmed in mid‑July that rookie AJ Dybantsa and two wings, Will Riley and Tre Johnson, will not play the rest of the Las Vegas Summer League, a decision the team called the result of camp work and performance evaluation.
- Dybantsa averaged 25.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists across two games while drawing frequent fouls and getting to the rim, but he shot 39.4 percent overall and made just one of 11 three‑point attempts.
- Summer‑league coach T.J. Sorrentine praised Dybantsa’s defensive tools and said he could develop into an All‑Defensive Team player, while Trae Young publicly endorsed the shutdown as good preparation for the season.
- National commentators offered contrasting takes: Kenny Smith predicted easy scoring chances for Dybantsa in the regular season with Young and Anthony Davis on the floor, while peers like Bulls rookie Caleb Wilson criticized skipping Summer League when players are healthy.
- The Wizards plan focused offseason shooting and conditioning work for Dybantsa ahead of training camp in late September, with the team balancing short‑term win expectations driven by veteran stars against long‑term rookie development.