AMAICA Basketball Association (JABA) President Paulton Gordon says he is hopeful NBA number one overall pick, AJ Dybantsa, will represent Jamaica, despite the challenges ahead in making that a reality.
The association has continued its recruitment of top talent despite not qualifying for next summer’s FIBA World Cup in Qatar after finishing behind Canada, Bahamas and Puerto Rico in Americas Qualifying.
The association has continued its recruitment of top talent despite not qualifying for next summer’s FIBA World Cup in Qatar after finishing behind Canada, Bahamas and Puerto Rico in Americas Qualifying.
Dybantsa has made an immediate impact since being selected first overall by the Washington Wizards, averaging 25 points and seven rebounds while leading the team to consecutive Summer League wins.
Although the NBA regular season does not tip off until October, the 19-year-old small forward is already being tipped as an early Rookie of the Year contender as the Wizards hope to return to title contention with the additions of All-Stars Anthony Davis, Trae Young and Khris Middleton.
Dybantsa’s international future may not on the front burner but his decision will be one that JABA will be paying close attention to.
He was born in Boston, Massachusetts, but qualifies to play for Jamaica through his mother, who was born and raised in Hanover before migrating to the USA.
Dybantsa began the process of acquiring Jamaican citizenship during a visit to the island in 2024, but the Jamaica Observer understands the process wasn’t fully completed, which means he’s yet to receive his Jamaican passport.
Dybantsa has represented the United States at the youth level, including helping the Americans win gold at last year’s FIBA Under-19 World Cup in Switzerland. Although FIBA recently amended its eligibility rules, extending the age limit for players to switch national teams from 16 to 18, Dybantsa had already passed that threshold. As a result, JABA would need to submit a special appeal to FIBA should he decide to represent Jamaica.
AJ Dybansta of Washington Wizards drives to the basket during the NBA Las Vegas Summer League game against Utah Jazz at the Thomas & Mack Center in Nevada on July 9, 2026. (Photo: AFP)
He is also eligible to play for DR Congo, his father’s country of birth.
While eager to see Dybantsa represent the black, green and gold, Gordon believes the NBA star will always remain deeply connected to Jamaica.
“Wherever he lands, in terms of playing nationally, he’s always going to represent the Brand Jamaica,” he told the
Jamaica Observer.
“The challenge now [is] he has played for all the American youth teams even at the World Cup level so that in itself will pose a problem in terms of the sort of commitment that we’re looking for. But whatever he does, we’re in full support of his journey.”
In 2025, Dybantsa said he has “Jamaica in my heart” after partnering with the Bob and Rita Marley Foundation to support several youth programmes through basketball clinics and donations of gear and equipment. He also raised over $4.7 million in proceeds of victims of Hurricane Melissa which ravaged the island last October.
During the NBA Draft, Dybantsa wore a Jamaica pin on his suit and also sported Jamaica-inspired shoes during games while playing college basketball at Brigham Young University. He even represented Jamaica and Congo for Team World during a Nike Hoop Summit against Team USA.
Gordon says Dybanta becoming one of the NBA’s newest stars is a big win for Jamaica.
“We’re quite elated, we’re happy for AJ and his connections. His dad is sometimes more Jamaican than a lot of us, he sends us updates on a weekly basis as to what’s happening, and his heritage is strong,” he said. “His mom is from Hanover, and he wants to represent his heritage. He’s always there to represent his heritage, his culture and to help fly the Jamaican flag as high as possible.”