NEW YORK - The Utah Jazz selected Kansas freshman guard Darryn Peterson with the No. 2 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, jettisoning concerns about his one injury-plagued season in college.
Peterson, a 6-foot-5 swingman, averaged 20.2 points and 4.2 rebounds in 24 games with the Jayhawks and comes into the league after questions about a productive, yet strange freshman season.
Peterson missed significant time this season with a hamstring strain and dealt with cramping issues, saying that the use of creatine sometimes caused full-body cramps, causing him to miss 11 games.
When healthy, Peterson is as dynamic a scorer as there is in the country. He shot 38.2% from 3-point range and can easily get off his shot anytime he wants.
The Jazz, who tied for the worst record in the NBA at 17-65, can move forward now that their tanking ways are over. They were fined $500,000 for their offenses, but the cupboard isn't totally bare in Salt Lake City. When healthy, Jaren Jackson Jr., Lauri Markkanen and Ace Bailey provide the stability to build upon, but the climb to the top may be a very long time coming in the loaded Western Conference.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Darryn Peterson selected by Jazz with No. 2 pick in 2026 NBA Draft
