What does the basketball world think of Utah Jazz drafting KU’s Darryn Peterson?
Former Kansas star Darryn Peterson is perhaps the most polarizing player who was selected in the 2026 NBA Draft — at least of the top selections.
After Peterson was taken by the Utah Jazz with the second overall pick, ESPN college hoops analyst Jay Bilas called him the most talented player in entire draft.
Meanwhile, ESPN personality and former NBA player Kendrick Perkins said Peterson’s floor is Bradley Beal and ceiling is NBA Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant.
Even an NBA scout told The Star recently that Peterson’s ceiling is NBA star Devin Booker.
Everyone in the basketball world seems to have some sort of opinion on Peterson.
“When you say, ‘Who am I?’ I say, ‘I’m me, I’m Darryn Peterson,’” he said after getting picked. “People are going to have opinions on me and stuff because of what I went through and all that.”
To understand what the basketball world makes of the Jazz taking Peterson, The Star spoke to media members present for the NBA Draft’s second round Wednesday evening.
Jeremy Woo, ESPN’s NBA Draft evaluator, is plenty familiar with Peterson. He likes the overall fit with Utah.
“He actually fits Utah better than any of the other top guys,” Woo told The Star. “So I think it worked out well for them. They definitely need shooting; they need a bigger wing defender. I think defensively, we don’t really talk about his defense, but he’s a pretty good defender.
“I think he’s a good match for that. ... I would expect him to play a lot and be important this year.”
Longtime NBA reporter and Northwestern professor Chris Herring is excited to see how Peterson looks in the league.
“I think the fact that he was in the conversation for the No. 1 pick and that he wasn’t fully healthy in that one year and still was almost the No. 1 pick,” Herring said, “it makes me really excited to watch him. I’m hopeful that it’s everything that everyone has been saying because it just sounds like the guy has so much talent. So much potential.”
Kansas coach Bill Self said he believes Peterson could be a perennial all-star. Even Woo believes the median outcome for his career is a high ceiling.
“Pretty high,” Woo said of Peterson’s potential. “I think if he doesn’t get hurt, yes, (that he becomes a perennial all-star).”
As for his more immediate future? He’ll be in contention for Rookie of the Year.
“He should be,” Woo said. “Talent is talent. It’s always hard to know.”
