Wizards Forward AJ Dybantsa has One Unstoppable Skill

While opposing fans may hate this skill by AJ Dybantsa, the Washington Wizards will gladly welcome it.

Jun 25, 2026; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards first round draft pick and number one overall pick AJ Dybantsa speaks to the media during a press conference at InterContinental Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

When the Washington Wizards drafted AJ Dybantsa, everyone knew he was extremely talented. He is one of the deadliest mid-range shooting prospects in recent years, great at finishing through contact, and he has the athletic tools to excel everywhere else. One skill that was not talked about but is now on display is driving opposing fans mad. The one unstoppable skill is his ability to get to the free-throw line.

AJ Dybantsa, the Newest "Free Throw Merchant"

Jun 23, 2026; New York, NY, USA; Draft prospect AJ Dybantsa poses for photos on the red carpet before the 2026 NBA draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The topic of free throws has become a cardinal sin as of late amongst the NBA community. Generating a high number of free throws has started to be deemed "unethical" in the game. The truth is, generating free throws is a sign of being a dominant player that defenses cannot stop, no matter what they do. Now, Dybantsa is joining this hated group of players, deemed "free throw merchants," in one Summer League game.

In the victory over the Utah Jazz, Dybantsa shot poorly. Dybantsa only shot 7-of-18 from the field and missed all five of his three-point attempts. However, he managed to reach the line on 8 separate occasions. The box score shows that the first overall pick shot only 8 free throws, but this is due to a new rule the NBA is trying out.

AJ Dybantsa vs Jazz in NBA SL Debut..

27 PTS (7-18 FG, 7-8 FTs)
7 REBS
2 AST
2 STLS
1 BLK

Had a lil calf issue.. but I think we’ve seen enough.. shut him down.. pic.twitter.com/kttbdmzT2M

— Frankie Vision (@Frankie_Vision) July 10, 2026

During Summer League, all shooting fouls will be one free throw for two points, unless, of course, it is the result of an and-one. This means that the eight free throws Dybantsa took were really 15 (one trip came courtesy of an and-one). That number alone is hard to fathom, as most players struggle to even reach double digits in free-throw attempts. So, for Dybantsa, doing this as a rookie is already a tremendous sign of long-term NBA success.

Yet even though getting to the free-throw line almost always correlates with winning games, the NBA community has made this seem like a bad thing. After the game, fans from opposing teams went online to discuss how unethical Dybantsa was in his debut. The truth is, it is smart basketball that more players should adopt into their playstyle. The past two NBA champions were led by players deemed free-throw merchants in Jalen Brunson and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

It is an unstoppable weapon, and it drives people insane, rightfully so. However, even if fans want to deem Dybantsa a free-throw merchant after one game, then so be it. His ability to generate free throws is a superpower that cannot be stopped by kryptonite.

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