Wizards Hire NBA Legend to Coaching Staff to Mentor AJ Dybantsa and Co.
· Yahoo Sports
AJ Dybantsa’s era with the Washington Wizards began last month when they made him the No. 1 pick of the 2026 NBA draft.
Visit extonnews.click for more information.
The Wizards are counting on him to help them return to basketball relevance and end their five-year playoff drought. To help develop the 19-year-old forward and the team’s young players, the Wizards hired an NBA legend to join Brian Keefe’s coaching staff.
Washington Wizards Strengthen Coaching Staff With NBA Legend for AJ Dybantsa and Young Core
The Wizards were drawn to Dybantsa’s elite size, athleticism, and versatility, particularly from the wings. They chose him over former Kansas Jayhawks guard Darryn Peterson, who made a late surge heading into the draft.
John Wall, the Wizards’ No. 1 pick in the 2010 draft, was delighted by Washington’s choice and called Dybantsa a “young Tracy McGrady.”
With such high expectations and Wall’s lofty comparison, the Wizards are surrounding the 6-foot-9 rookie with all the help he can get.
To that end, NBA insider Shams Charania tweeted a coaching addition to Keefe’s staff that could help Dybantsa’s development.
“Georgetown and New York Knicks legend Patrick Ewing has agreed to become an assistant coach for the Washington Wizards and head coach Brian Keefe, sources tell ESPN. Ewing has been in an Ambassador role with the Knicks and now returns on the coaching sidelines in D.C.,” Charania wrote.
The Wizards weren’t done, though. After the Ewing hire, Charania added another breaking news:
“Longtime NBA coach Steve Clifford is also joining the Wizards as a coaching advisor, sources tell ESPN. Clifford, who has held similar advisor roles for the Suns and Nets in recent years, coached as an assistant with Ewing in Orlando (2007-12). Ewing then served as an assistant under Clifford in Charlotte from 2013-17.”
With Ewing and Clifford signed, the Wizards are hoping their additions could fast-track the development of not just Dybantsa.
Washington also needs to coax more out of Tre Johnson, the No. 6 pick in 2025, and Alex Sarr, the No. 2 pick the year before Johnson. Bilal Coulibaly, Kyshawn George, Will Riley, and Tristan Vukčević are also part of a young roster that could use Ewing and Clifford’s guidance.
Ewing’s presence could be particularly impactful given his experience with young talent. The New York Knicks legend coached the Georgetown Hoyas from 2017 to 2023.
SEE ALSO:LeBron James’ Latest Public Appearance Ignites Reunion Speculation Amid Heat, Cavaliers Rumors
The Wizards finished the 2025-26 season with a 17-65 record, the worst in the NBA, and failed to breach 20 wins in a single season for the third straight time.
Dybantsa seems like a plug-and-play talent who can already contribute to the star pairing of Anthony Davis and Trae Young. The rookie could immediately help turn the team from a perennial laughingstock to a playoff contender.
Ewing and Clifford are on board to try to make that become a reality.