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Top draft pick AJ Dybantsa arrives in Washington, ready to work on turning the Wizards around
By Noah Trister, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· June 25, 2026
· 3 min read
Before basketball became such a big part of AJ Dybantsa's life, he was like any other kid — growing up as a fan of a fictional superhero.When he was about five, his father bought him a Spider-Man basketball hoop that went on the back of his door.“I loved Spider-Man growing up. So I just started s...
Key takeaway ended up falling in love with the game," Dybantsa said.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
San Antonio residents may not have a direct stake in the Washington Wizards' rebuild, but the story of AJ Dybantsa's rise to the top draft pick holds relevance for local youth basketball programs. The fact that Dybantsa's love for basketball was sparked by a simple Spider-Man themed hoop is a reminder that accessible and engaging introductory programs can have a lasting impact on young athletes. As San Antonio continues to invest in its own community sports infrastructure, the city's YMCA leagues and youth programs can draw inspiration from Dybantsa's journey, emphasizing the importance of providing opportunities for kids to fall in love with the game. With a strong foundation in place, San Antonio's own young basketball talents may one day follow in Dybantsa's footsteps, bringing pride and excitement to the local community. The Wizards' rebuild may be underway in Washington, but its ripple effects can be felt in cities like San Antonio, where the next generation of basketball stars is being nurtured.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 25, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Before basketball became such a big part of AJ Dybantsa's life, he was like any other kid — growing up as a fan of a fictional superhero.When he was about five, his father bought him a Spider-Man basketball hoop that went on the back of his door.“I loved Spider-Man growing up. So I just started s...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 25, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Noah Trister, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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