2026 Prospect Spotlight: Darryn Peterson

[Jamaaliver]

Darryn Peterson | 6-5 guard | 19 years old | Kansas

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Peterson remains the 2026 draft prospect I hear the most excitement about from scouts. He has all the requisite tools to become an elite on-ball guard in the NBA who can also shift toward playing off the ball if he’s next to another star. He’s a great ballhandler and terrific pull-up scorer and shooter, and he can make plays for others with his passing. Defensively, he’s big, long, tough and aggressive, measuring in at 6-feet-5.5 in shoes with a 6-foot-10.5 wingspan and an 8-foot-7 standing reach at Adidas Eurocamp in 2024.

The big step forward for Peterson last year at Prolific Prep came with his passing and playmaking. He’s always been a tremendous scorer, but last year he began to read the second and third levels of the defense and make plays off how help defenders played him, even at times manipulating them himself. To me, that’s the difference between him and the No. 2 player here.

Kansas coach Bill Self has already said publicly that he hasn’t “been around anybody that’s more prepared to be a college freshman that can carry the load more so than what Darryn can.” Expect a monster year for Peterson. I don’t think 20 points, six rebounds and five assists per game is out of the question.

The Athletic

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[HMFFL]

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Both players are fantastic talents. Kansas is must watch tv.

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Spoiler:

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[Jamaaliver]

I like Boozer more but.....

PG: Dyson
SG: Darryn Peterson
SF: Risacher
PF: Jalen
C: Kristap/OO

would also be fun to watch.

Darryn Peterson might be the superstar we need since we lack one. A Darryn Peterson and Dyson Daniels backcourt is a win-win!

[Jamaaliver]

[atlantabbq99]

I re-watched both of DP's games and he doesn't have Luka's or SGA's ball handling yet, but i'm really getting Klay vibes and Ray Allen vibes.

With the way DD and JJ have been passing and playing since Trae left, i'm getting more comfortable with a DP and DD backcourt.

[Jamaaliver]

Offensive role: Primary Initiator / Off-Ball Shotmaker
Defensive role: Off-Ball Playmaker / Versatile On-Ball Stopper
NBA Comparison: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Donovan Mitchell


Darryn Peterson entered college basketball as one of the most highly touted guard prospects in years and looks the part early on. He boasts a rare blend of physical tools, scoring touch, feel, ball skills and defensive impact that place him among the all-time great backcourt prospects. Just how high can Peterson reach with a dominant one-and-done season at Kansas?

Peterson’s upside could mirror that of a player like Gilgeous-Alexander, driving MVP-level impact with incessant shotmaking, unbelievable dribbling skills and defensive playmaking. His movement skills remind me of Mitchell’s jittery yet fluid style, though Peterson has a significant height advantage on Mitchell. It’s often challenging to find ideal comparisons for truly special prospects and Peterson is no different.

Strengths

• Exceptional advantage creator with an elite first step, endless dribbling counters and special change of speed and direction ability
• Soft touch around the basket and in the intermediate with both hands
• Excellent passing vision, manipulation and skill to locate targets on the move
• Displays rare shooting versatility, sprints off of screens for off-balance threes and makes difficult off-dribble jumpers regularly
• All-time defensive production for offensive role, absurd playmaking instincts for steals and blocks
• Instincts and vertical leaping allow for rim protection upside as a secondary player
• Motor never stops running, will constantly impact offense and defense throughout entire games

Weaknesses

• Strong but not special vertical athleticism leads to some difficult self-created shot attempts at the rim
• How high is his defensive impact ceiling in an enormous offensive usage role in the NBA?

Draft Projection: Round 1, Picks 1-3
Despite his current hamstring injury sidelining him, Peterson’s pre-NCAA sample and first few college games reinforced his status as a legendary guard prospects. There simply aren’t teenagers with Peterson’s tools, well-roundedness and elite, special traits and the ones who have those often turn into NBA superstars.

Sportscasting

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[atlantabbq99]

Peterson was the best player on the court tonight, but he got another injury.

His injuries will have to be a factor now in his draft stock. Because of Oden, injuries have to be a big part of your scouting.

Because of this, i'm moving Peterson down to #3 on my board. I could have him go down to #4 if Wilson, Flemings, Brown, and Ament keep continuing to impress scouts.

[Jamaaliver]

I believe DP should begin his career as a Shooting Guard.
His scoring prowess is too great to force him to create for others early on in his career...

He can switch to PG in Year 3 or 4 if that proves to be a better fit.

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