Darryn Peterson Makes Case as NBA Draft's No. 1 Pick in New Video After 2026 Lottery, Combine

Former Kansas guard Darryn Peterson made his case to be picked over AJ Dybantsa and Cameron Boozer at the top of the 2026 NBA draft in a Thursday appearance on ESPN's SportsCenter.

"I feel like I'm the best. Any team I feel like I'm placed on, I can go in and make an instant impact on both sides of the ball," Peterson told ESPN's Brian Custer. "I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make my team better, and help my team win.

Jonathan Wasserman projected in his latest 2026 NBA mock draft for Bleacher Report that the Washington Wizards would take Dybantsa with the No. 1 pick before the Utah Jazz select Peterson at No. 2.

Wasserman noted, however, that Dybantsa, Peterson and Boozer "are each No. 1 on various scouts' boards."

Peterson averaged 20.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.4 steals per game for Kansas while struggling with cramping issues throughout his freshman season.

He recently told ESPN's Ramona Shelburne the cramping had been caused by high doses of creatine and had ceased since he stopped using the supplement.

Wasserman also noted that some scouts could be concerned by Peterson's relatively low assists total at Kansas, but that he could be seen taking on more of a playmaking role in his high school tape.

Where Peterson ends up could ultimately hinge in part on how the Wizards and Jazz assess both his health and his developmental ceiling before the first round of the draft kicks off June 23 in Brooklyn.