Wizards shut down Dybantsa, Johnson, and Riley for remainder of summer league
Wizards Conclude Summer League Play for Key Rookies
The Washington Wizards have decided to shut down AJ Dybantsa, Tre Johnson, and Will Riley for the rest of the Las Vegas Summer League, according to reports. This decision was confirmed by Wizards summer league coach T.J. Sorrentine on Tuesday.
The move follows a period of camp in Washington and subsequent games in Las Vegas, where the players demonstrated their abilities. Coach Sorrentine indicated that the decision reflects the culmination of their performance throughout camp and the initial games, suggesting they had little left to prove.
Dybantsa’s Performance Highlights and Areas for Development
AJ Dybantsa, the top pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, made a notable impression during his two appearances in the Summer League. He showcased his ability to drive to the rim, athleticism, and finishing skills. In his debut, he scored 27 points in a 92-88 win against the Utah Jazz, a total that matched Blake Griffin for the most by a No. 1 pick in a Las Vegas Summer League debut. He followed this with 23 points in Washington’s 104-85 victory over the Sacramento Kings.
Across these two contests, Dybantsa averaged 25.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists. His 6-foot-9 frame contributed to averages of 2.5 steals and 1.5 blocks per game, highlighting his defensive motor. During his college season at BYU, Dybantsa led Division I in scoring, averaging 25.5 points per game, and also led the nation in total free-throw attempts with 296. His scoring and foul-drawing continued in the Summer League, where he made 12 of 14 free-throw attempts, despite an experimental rule in place for most free throws.
However, Dybantsa’s shooting efficiency was an area noted for improvement. He shot 39.4% from the field and only 9.1% from 3-point range, converting just one of 11 attempts. Some of his jump shots were observed to be short, which was suggested as a possible sign of fatigue from the intense schedule of practices and games. Developing his jump shot is expected to be a key focus before the Wizards‘ training camp begins in late September. On the defensive end, Dybantsa recorded three blocks in his two appearances, with Coach Sorrentine indicating his potential to become an all-defensive team player.
Contributions from Johnson and Riley
Tre Johnson participated in one game, where he scored 26 points on 11-20 shooting from the field. He demonstrated a versatile scoring ability, including contested layups in the paint, mid-range jumpers, and two successful 3-pointers.
Will Riley, a second-year wing, overcame an initial performance to excel against the Kings. In that game, he scored a game-high 32 points, making six of eight 3-point attempts. Overall, he shot 70% from 3-point range on 10 attempts across his two Summer League contests. Riley averaged 25.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in his two games.
The Wizards are scheduled to play next at 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday against Caleb Wilson and the Chicago Bulls, before facing Keaton Wagler’s Los Angeles Clippers at 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
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Source: bulletsforever.com
