Darryn Peterson is entering the 2026 NBA Draft after his freshman year with the Kansas Jayhawks men’s basketball, confirming his decision just before the early-entry cutoff.
Peterson isn’t currently projected as the top pick, but he’s still firmly in the upper tier of prospects.
He put up 20.2 points per game along with solid all-around numbers and earned All-Big 12 Second Team recognition.
His season was shortened to 24 games due to injuries, including hamstring and ankle problems, along with severe cramping.
Those issues affected his consistency and played a role in shifting his draft outlook, along with questions about his playmaking and intensity.
Despite that, evaluators remain high on him.
He sits near the top of draft boards, with Jeremy Woo of ESPN calling him the “most gifted scorer and shot-maker” in the class.
The pre-draft process will be important as teams review his medicals and get a clearer sense of his long-term potential.
Darryn Peterson Declares For 2026 NBA Draft https://t.co/xdp8zTPt1G
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) April 24, 2026
