How former KU Jayhawk Darryn Peterson arranged to wear fave jersey number in NBA
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- Utah Jazz officially awarded Darryn Peterson No. 22 on Saturday morning.
- Kyle Filipowski will switch from No. 22 to No. 2 so Peterson could wear 22.
- Peterson will debut in his No. 22
“New team, same number.”
That’s how the Utah Jazz marketing department publicized the online sale of Darryn Peterson jerseys to adoring fans eager to purchase the uniform of the team’s first-round pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Yes … the Jazz officially awarded Peterson No. 22 on Saturday morning via a social media post. It’s the same number he wore during his one-and-done season at the University of Kansas and also in his days as the country’s No. 1-ranked high school player at Prolific Prep in California.
Discussion about the number Peterson would wear for his rookie season had bubbled since Tuesday night. That’s when the Jazz selected Peterson second overall, behind AJ Dybantsa, during the draft proceedings in Brooklyn, New York.
Kyle Filipowski, a former second-round pick from Duke, had worn No. 22 his first two years in the league with Utah.
“Yeah for sure,” Peterson said Saturday, asked by Deseret News writer Sarah Todd if he had to give up anything to secure No. 22 from Filipowski, who will now wear No. 2.
Todd reported that Blake Hinson, who was on a two-way contract with Utah last season and wore No. 2, will switch to No. 11.
“He wanted to keep it,” Peterson added during a news conference in Salt Lake City, where he was introduced to media, team employees and some fans.
“But he was willing to give me that, so I appreciate him (Filipowski) for that, and I told him, ‘It’s an honor.’ I’m thankful that he did it, and that’s his first assist to me.”
Peterson did not reveal what it cost him to convince Filipowski to relinquish 22, the number Peterson likes to wear as a tribute to his dad, Darryl, who wore that number in college at Akron.
Peterson, who briefly returned to his hometown of Canton, Ohio on Wednesday after the opening night of the draft, flew to Utah on Friday. There, he was greeted by invited guests at the airport.
Saturday was his introductory news conference. He acknowledged it has been a whirlwind.
“It’s been a lot of mixture of feelings. First feeling was like, ‘Wow, I’m super blessed to be in this position,’” Peterson said. “Second feeling, when I went home I worked out in my old high school, just to see where I came from was another feeling.
“Then, when I got here, there was a wholesome feeling. When I got off the plane and the fans were out there yelling for me, cheering for me. So, just like a warm welcome to home, and I’m happy to be home now.”
Saturday was a media session in which he was asked some serious questions — and lighter ones, such as being asked to reveal the name of his new puppy (Denim) and the puppy’s breed (doberman).
Asked his opinion of the state of Utah, where he played in a tournament in high school, he said … “Yesterday (Friday) was a long day after meeting with the fans (at airport) and the dinner (with fellow Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George). I walked Denim a little bit, so I saw a little bit, but I went to sleep early.
“But when I was here in high school, I saw the mountains, took pictures in front of the mountains — me and my team — in a great city, I’m willing and ready to explore it and I heard fishing is a thing out here too, so I want to go get out somewhere and do some fishing,” he added smiling.
Known as a prolific scorer after averaging 20.2 points in 29.0 minutes per game at KU, Peterson was asked about his willingness to play defense.
“I think I would like to say I can be a lockdown defender. Obviously, I haven’t guarded the best in the world yet, but I’m willing to take this challenge,” he said. “(I have a) 6-10 wingspan. I think that can help me a bit. And just my effort. I might not be the fastest guy or quickest guy, but my effort I hope will be to take out some of that. I’m a Kobe (Bryant) guy, so if you play both sides of the ball, that’s my idol. So trying to lock down on defense.”
Peterson praised his parents for being great role models and helping him get to the point of being No. 2 player selected in the NBA Draft.
“Everything I’ve been through throughout my whole life whatever it is, I think it formed me, It made me who I am today, and without those things, who knows if I’d be me,” Peterson said. “I’ve been through a ton of stuff, good and bad, but I’d do them all again if I knew this is going to be the outcome — to be able to get drafted to a great organization, be the second pick, and see my number on the jersey today, getting that from Flip. So, just all that stuff comes to mind, but I’m just super blessed to be here and have this opportunity.”
Peterson will make his debut in the NBA version of his No. 22 jersey during the Salt Lake City Summer League. The Jazz will play games on July 4, 6 and 7 before heading to Las Vegas for five games in the Vegas NBA summer league.
