In his first action as a pro, AJ Dybantsa shows what made him the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft

LAS VEGAS – Thursday was AJ Dybantsa’s turn to play in front of a packed house at Thomas & Mack Center for his Las Vegas Summer League debut.

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The NBA traditionally schedules the No. 1 overall pick’s first summer league game during its prime opening night slot, and Dybantsa and his Washington Wizards were matched up against No. 2 selection Darryn Peterson and the Utah Jazz.

What Dybantsa lacked in efficiency, he displayed in athleticism, smooth moves, thunderous dunks, and fadeaway jumpers. The goal for any top pick is to emerge as the best player on the floor during these summer games, which are filled with NBA journeymen seeking jobs and other draft picks; for Dybantsa, it was mission accomplished.

The 6-foot-9 forward made NBA plays, emerged as his team’s offensive focal point, and showed great effort on defense. The Brockton native could be the best player to emerge from the Boston area and this was his first NBA step just a few weeks after being the top pick.

Washington is a franchise that has experienced hard times in the past decade and is in the early stages of a rebuild as the Wizards line up top picks to join veterans Trae Young and Anthony Davis, both of whom sat courtside to witness their summer teammates’ 92-88 win.

Dybantsa scored a game-high 27 points with 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and a blocked shot.

“Everything felt normal,” he said. “My game is built for the NBA, me getting downhill a lot, making plays for my teammates. It was sure fast. It’s fast in college but with these guys the tempo is so fast. But it’s great. It’s going to get me in shape.”

As Dybantsa completed his postgame media commitments, his father Ace, wearing a Wizards cap, was gleaming because this night was a dream realized. His son is officially an NBA player, the centerpiece of a team as it seeks respectability.

“It’s a beautiful thing,” Ace told the Globe. “It’s a dream come true. He’s living his dream. And we witnessed it.”

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Ace was with AJ every step of the way during the draft process. After his son’s first game, he made sure to allow AJ to deal with the media horde, which included an ESPN interview, without listening. It’s AJ’s time. And he said he knows when to step back and allow his 19-year-old son to experience this professional life.

“I take a back seat, I’m in the back,” he said. “He has to figure it out. I don’t want to baby him forever. He’ll figure it out. He’ll figure it out. I’m proud. He worked hard, hours of sacrifice, and it’s paid off.”

From the moment Dybantsa declared for the draft following his freshman season at Brigham Young, he was projected as the No. 1 pick. While Cameron Boozer was considered perhaps a better all-around player and Peterson a more polished scorer, Dybantsa had bigger upside.

The Wizards won the draft lottery but kept their choice quiet until just before the first pick was announced on June 23. Despite rumors they were entertaining the idea of Peterson, Dybantsa was the choice and Ace knew earlier than commissioner Adam Silver’s announcement when he received a call from Washington president Michael Winger.

Ace recalled the conversation: “He said Ace, this is Michael Winger from the Washington Wizards.”

“I know who the [bleep] you are.” Ace responded.

Winger added “we’re gonna take your son No. 1.”

“And I said ‘thank you’ and kept my mouth shut,” Ace said.

Many draft picks learn moments before their official announcement that they’re being picked. Dybantsa didn’t because Ace kept that information to himself. He wanted his son to have a genuine reaction.

“When Adam called his name, it was joy,” Ace said.

Ace will move to Washington and spend the first few years with his son until he’s ready to completely be on his own.

“Washington is not a bad place,” Ace said. “I love the moves they made with those vets and it’s going to benefit him and the rest of the youngsters. It’s just the beginning of the process but I enjoy it. It’s a dream come true. He wants people to know where he’s from. Brockton, Massachusetts. 508.”

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