The Utah Jazz did their due diligence in scouting the top prospects from the 2026 NBA Draft, knowing that they were in a position with the second overall pick to get a franchise player. The team had been linked to all of AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, and Cameron Boozer ahead of what is being viewed as one of the most top-heavy and stacked draft classes in recent memory. With Dybantsa going first overall, the Jazz officially set their sights on Peterson, and the Kansas product will slot into the starting shooting guard position right away for the team looking to quickly go from tankers to contenders.
Peterson’s path to being selected second overall was anything but ordinary, though. So, how did the Canton, Ohio, native end up a member of the Jazz?
Darryn Peterson’s path to the Jazz
Basketball scouts have had Dybantsa vs. Peterson debates for years. Recruitment rankings platforms were split on who was the best player coming out of high school in 2025, as were mock draft experts for most of the collegiate season. Ultimately, a more consistent freshman campaign led Dybantsa to pull away from Peterson.
Peterson’s lone season in college was marred by injuries and inconsistencies. The shooting guard dealt with a hamstring issue for much of his freshman season. He missed time because of the injury, and upon his return, quadricep cramping became the new issue he had to deal with. While Peterson didn’t miss as much time with the cramping problem, he was often held to a minutes restriction or seen subbing himself out of the game, oftentimes even in crunch time situations. Peterson would later come out and say his entire body was in pain because of the cramps, which he attributed to his doses of creatine usage. An ankle sprain and flu-like symptoms were two more issues added to Peterson’s laundry list of problems.
Despite this, Peterson did nothing but ball out when on the hardwood, and the talent of a number one overall pick candidate was evident whenever he stepped on the floor. In the Big 12 Conference, playing for one of the most prestigious blue bloods in sports, Peterson averaged 20.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game. He scored in whichever ways he wanted to as a mere freshman, including at the rim, in the mid-range, and from beyond the 3-point arc.
Peterson has true superstar potential, but many have questioned his competitiveness because of the issues he dealt with in college. The shooting guard also showed little desire to play for the Jazz leading up to the draft. With his eyes set on the number one pick, which was held by the Washington Wizards, Peterson canceled his workout with the Jazz. Reports even suggested that he’d rather fall to the Memphis Grizzlies at pick three than be drafted by Utah.
It was well known coming into draft day that the decision wouldn’t deter Utah, though. They dealt with a similar situation with Ace Bailey just last year. The team trusts their culture and player development program, and they fully beleive that Peterson will embrace being a core member of the team’s future going forward.
Both Dybantsa and Boozer met with Utah before the draft. It is unclear if the team would have still opted for Peterson if Dybantsa was on the board. The BYU product is one of the rare star basketball players with Utah ties, and his freak athleticism is a sight to behold. Boozer, meanwhile, is fresh off becoming the fifth freshman ever to win the National Player of the Year title. His dad Cameron is also a member of Utah’s front office.
The Jazz only won 22 games en route to earning the last-place spot in the Western Conference standings last season. They have huge expectations for the season ahead, though. Not only does Peterson have All-Star potential written all over him, but Jaren Jackson Jr. and Walker Kessler, assuming the latter is re-signed, will be returning to health to join Bailey, Lauri Markkanen, and Keyonte George in what is a solid up-and-coming core.
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