Washington Wizards rookie AJ Dybantsa has heard plenty of star comparisons already, but one name clearly sits at the top of the list for him: Tracy McGrady.
In a video posted by NBA on Amazon Prime, Dybantsa said the McGrady comparison is the one that hits hardest.
"What's the best compliment you've ever received about your game?"
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) July 29, 2026
AJ Dybantsa: "That I actually play like prime [Tracy McGrady]."
(via @NBAonPrime)pic.twitter.com/qW4CXDtQj9
“Best compliment, uh, that you play like prime T-Mac.”
When asked who had been making that comparison, Dybantsa grinned and said, “A whole bunch of people.”
The clip then shifted to Wizards legend John Wall, who laid out why he sees the resemblance.
“My NBA player comp for me is a young T-Mac. Somebody that's super athletic, got the mid range, got the three ball, can do it all.”
That kind of praise fits the profile of the No. 1 overall pick, who is viewed as one of the game’s top three-level scorers. Dybantsa can create his own shot and uses his size and athleticism to affect the game in a bunch of different ways.
Even with the McGrady buzz, Dybantsa has been open about the players he studies as he keeps sharpening his game. In a recent interview with @DevInTheLab, he named Kevin Durant as his favorite player.
“My favorite player is Kevin Durant. But he's super, like, unmimicable. So I do watch his film though, 'cause like you gotta watch KD film.”
He also pointed to Anthony Edwards, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Doncic, and Cade Cunningham as players he watches closely.
“But I watch a lot of, right now, [Anthony] Edwards and Shai for, like, buckets. Um, and for reads, Luka and Cade.”
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