Darryn Peterson Reacts to Impressive NBA Summer League Debut After Rumors of Jazz Draft Drama

Darryn Peterson looked like a franchise player in the making when he dropped 28 points in Saturday's 103-102 Summer League victory over the Atlanta Hawks, and he discussed what a "privilege" it is to wear a Utah Jazz uniform in the aftermath.

"I've been training super hard, manifesting this game since the season ended," he told reporters (two-minute mark). "To be out there and finally be able to put on a jersey and play against great, and then on top of that, I got Jazz across my chest now, so it's a huge honor and privilege."

That the No. 2 overall pick of the 2026 NBA draft was so thankful to wear the Utah uniform is notable considering what happened before the Western Conference team selected him.

After all, he skipped working out for the Jazz and only worked out for the Washington Wizards, who had the No. 1 overall pick.

NBA insider Jake Fischer reported last month, "for Peterson's camp, though, sources say there's as much motivation to avoid a positional overlap with incumbent ballhandler Keyonte George on the team that holds the No. 2 overall pick as there is a desire to go No. 1 ahead of Dybantsa and [Cameron] Boozer."

Yet that didn't stop the Jazz from drafting the Kansas star after the Wizards selected BYU's AJ Dybantsa at No. 1 overall.

For what it's worth, ESPN's Ramona Shelburne reported he did meet with the Jazz at the NBA combine and only met with Washington because he thought he would go No. 1.

"It's more a statement that Darryn Peterson believes he should go No. 1 overall," she reported. "That's what he's focused on. He'd be happy to go to the Washington Wizards. And if for some reason they didn't take him, he feels pretty confident that he would not slip past Utah at No. 2."

He sounded happy Saturday and looked like someone who could compete for the Rookie of the Year.

Hawks-Jazz Highlights

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Peterson scored those 28 points on 11-of-21 shooting from the field and 4-of-7 shooting from deep while adding five rebounds, two assists and two blocks. It wasn't a perfect game by any stretch, though, as he also finished with eight turnovers as the Atlanta defense largely focused on him when he was on the floor.

With Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. on the floor in the regular season, Peterson will likely find even more open looks than he did Saturday.

While it was just a Summer League game, he looked ready to knock them down at the next level.