Darryn Peterson to Honor Kobe Bryant with Jersey Number If Kyle Filipowski Won't Switch

Darryn Peterson has some work to do in his quest to find a jersey number with the Utah Jazz after being selected with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 NBA draft.

Peterson told reporters after he was drafted that he could wear No. 8 to honor Kobe Bryant, who he recently got a tattoo of, only if he can't get Jazz center Kyle Filipowski to switch from his current number 22.

Peterson later said he might be "out of luck" with the No. 8 after being made aware that Isaiah Collier currently wears it for the Jazz.

"So I'm out of luck," he said. "I'm going to have to figure out — I'm going to have to go to the drawing board and figure something out. Hopefully I can get 22. I'm probably going to text Flip right now, like 'what I gotta do?'"

Peterson wore No. 22 during his lone season at Kansas and going back to his senior year in high school at Prolific Prep. His father, Darryl Peterson II, told ESPN's Lisa Salters on the network's draft show that it "means a lot" to see his son wearing the same number he used when he played .

Filipowski has worn No. 22 during his first two seasons with the Jazz. Collier snatched No. 8 for the 2025-26 season after it became available following Patty Mills' departure.

After taking the No. 13 for his rookie season in 2024-25, Collier said he chose it simply because "it was available." If that was also his rationale for switching prior to the start of last season, it may not be hard for Peterson to get the number from his new teammate.

All the Jazz will care about is Peterson living up to his potential as they look to take a step forward next season. He figures to be a prominent face in their rebuild that includes a promising core with Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., Keyonte George and Ace Bailey.