The Victor Wembanyama effect is officially taking the NBA by storm. With the young superstar on the roster, the San Antonio Spurs have turned into a preferred destination for many players already in the NBA, and now to some top prospects in the upcoming drafts.
This was shown in the offseason when Chris Paul decided to sign with the Spurs not only with a desire to play for the organization but also to play alongside Wembanyama. Harrison Barnes also added his name to the list by waiving his no-trade clause to join the Spurs when the Sacramento Kings made a deal to bring in DeMar DeRozan from the Chicago Bulls.
These veterans are not the only players who view San Antonio as a top destination. A.J. Dybantsa, the projected top pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, also views the Spurs as a top destination.
Dybantsa went on ESPN’s “First Take” this morning to make his announcement on which college he will be committing to for next season. After narrowing his offers down to Alabama, North Carolina, Kansas and BYU, the 17-year-old phenom announced his commitment to BYU, becoming their first five-star recruit to commit.
He also listed the Spurs and the Orlando Magic as his preferred landing spots once he enters the NBA. Dybantsa has been one of the most prolific scorers in the country throughout his high school career, which led to him winning Gatorade Player of the Year honors for Massachusetts in 2022-23.
Dybantsa has also taken the AAU and FIBA ranks by storm. He helped USA Basketball win gold medals at both the 2023 FIBA Americas U16 Championship and the 2024 FIBA U17 Word Cup. His 6-9, 200-pound frame has made him a physical force offensively, but he is also a great ball handler and can guard multiple positions.
While the Spurs are unlikely to have that high of a pick in the 2026 draft, this is a good sign for the franchise and for their fans. With Dybantsa listing them as a preferred destination along with the veterans of Paul and Barnes wanting to go there in the offseason, players are noticing what the Spurs are building and are wanting to join them thanks to Wembanyama’s impact.
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