sports
Utah Jazz Select Kansas Guard Darryn Peterson at No. 2 in 2026 NBA Draft
The Utah Jazz chose 19-year-old Darryn Peterson second overall after he averaged 20.2 points per game as a Kansas freshman. Team officials said medical checks raised no concerns after he missed 11 games with cramping tied to creatine use.
profootballtalk.nbcsports.comAudio version
Tap play to generate a narrated version.
Developing·Limited corroboration so far. This page will refresh as more sources emerge.
The Utah Jazz selected Kansas guard Darryn Peterson with the No. 2 pick in the 2026 NBA draft. Peterson, 19, from Canton, Ohio, averaged 20.2 points per game last season, the highest total ever by a Kansas freshman.
He missed 11 games because of cramping that doctors later attributed to high doses of creatine. Utah team sources told ESPN that their review of his medical history produced no red flags. Jazz president of basketball operations Austin Ainge said the team views Peterson as a strong fit.
"We're so excited about Darryn. He is such a great combination of talent and character and work ethic. We think he can help us win now and in the future," Ainge said.
Peterson said the Jazz's decision to visit him in Canton stood out. "It meant a lot to me for them to come to my hometown and want to meet with me," he said. He added that he is eager to join Keyonte George in the backcourt.
George, 22, averaged 23.6 points and 6. "I think me and Keyonte are going to be one of the best backcourts in the NBA, and then we've got those three bigs that are going to dominate," Peterson said, referring to Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Walker Kessler.
The Jazz acquired Jackson, a two-time All-Star, in a February trade. The selection matches the highest draft position in franchise history, previously reached when the team picked Darrell Griffith second overall in 1980.
