The 6-foot-8 (2.03-meter) 19-year-old forward was scouted by the Wizards after playing just one season of college basketball.
Published June 24, 2026
Towering teenager Anisette “AJ” Divanza Jr. was selected by the Washington Wizards with the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft on Tuesday.
The 6-foot-9, 2.06-meter forward was selected by the Wizards after playing just one season of college basketball for the Brigham Young University Cougars.
Recommended stories
list of 3 itemsend of list
In the 2025-26 season, Divanza started 35 games and averaged 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists.
Divanza entered the NBA after a stellar career in youth basketball and led the United States to the 2025 FIBA U-19 World Cup, where he was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.
“It means a lot,” DiVanza told ESPN shortly after being selected.
“Obviously, this is just a stepping stone and I have a lot of work to do. But this is a testament to all my hard work and discipline and the sacrifices I’ve made,” he added.
NBA Draft so far
Meanwhile, the Utah Jazz selected Kansas University prospect Darrin Peterson with the second pick.
Like Divanza, the 6-foot-6 guard entered the NBA after just one season of college basketball, averaging 20.2 points.
A natural scorer, Peterson is considered the perfect fit to play alongside Utah’s Keyontae George as the Jazz look to rebuild after a disastrous 22-60 season.
Meanwhile, the Memphis Grizzlies selected Cameron Boozer, the consensus national player of the year, with the third pick in the draft.
Boozer is the son of two-time NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer and a 13-year NBA veteran who played with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Utah Jazz, Chicago Bulls, and Los Angeles Lakers.
The 18-year-old played one season at Duke University, starting 38 games and averaging 22.5 points.
The 6-foot-9 prospect was considered by many to be the most naturally talented player in this year’s draft, combining natural all-court skills and physical weight.
His college season ended in March when he suffered multiple fractures around his right eye during Duke’s 73-72 loss to the University of Connecticut in the Elite 8 round of collegiate competition.
“Honestly, this is crazy,” Boozer said afterward. “So much happiness and joy becomes my whole life in a matter of seconds.”
Boozer sat alongside his parents and siblings in an interview with ESPN and credited his success to his family.
“As a family sitting here, if they weren’t sitting here, I wouldn’t be here,” Boozer said. “It feels really great to be here with them. They’ve been with me every step of the way.”
