Only a few years ago, the professional sports scene in Washington, D.C. looked bleak. The Commanders were coming off a 4-13 season in 2023. The Wizards were on their way to a 15-67 season. The Nationals were in the middle of back-to-back 71-91 seasons. Only the Capitals gave the region something to be proud of and they lost in the first round of the playoffs.
Then, the Commanders selected LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. He would have the greatest rookie season in NFL history, leading the Commanders to 12 wins, an appearance in the NFC Championship Game, and sweeping all Rookie of the Year awards.
Two years later, after many more losses between the region’s sports teams, things are looking up. The Commanders reloaded this offseason, one year after going 5-12. They landed Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Wizards would land the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, while the Nationals were competing for an MLB Wild-Card spot.
On Tuesday night, the Wizards selected BYU forward AJ Dybantsa with the No. 1 overall pick. The Wizards’ long rebuild appears to have paid off. Now, the DMV has a few young, marketable stars, like Daniels, Dybantsa, Styles, and James Wood.
When Dybantsa was selected on Tuesday, he immediately heard from Daniels.
AJ Dybantsa told me Jayden Daniels texted him after the lottery and said “Welcome to DC”
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) June 24, 2026
Daniels also welcomed Dybantsa to the District on his Instagram page.
Jayden Daniels welcomes @AJ_Dybantsa to DC on his Instagram.
Those home-and-home appearances courtside and sideline are going to be epic next year. #DCFamilypic.twitter.com/dDWH99wG5l
— George Carmi (@Gcarmi21) June 24, 2026
Daniels wasn’t the only Commander to welcome Dybantsa to DC. Styles was present at the NBA draft and even interviewed the No. 1 pick after his selection.
AJ Dybantsa x Sonny Styles
Both will get gold jackets one day in their respective sport pic.twitter.com/poeoDYyFDR
— brady (@burgermanders) June 24, 2026
Dybantsa joked to Styles that he wanted to go pro in the NFL. Styles didn’t bring up his basketball career, where he was a star at Pickerington Central High School in Ohio.
After years of losing, it sure looks like Washington, D.C., now has several young superstars.
Now, it’s time to win.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels welcomes NBA No. 1 pick to DC
