Kansas’ Darryn Peterson Holds Slight Lead in 2026 NBA Draft Projections
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ESPN’s most recent Big Board keeps Kansas freshman Darryn Peterson in the top spot for the 2026 NBA Draft, with fellow first-year standouts AJ Dybantsa of BYU and Cameron Boozer of Duke close behind.
After speaking with several NBA scouts and college coaches, ESPN reported that all three players are viewed as legitimate options for the No. 1 pick. Team needs and in-season performance are expected to determine the final order.
Peterson’s early edge
The 6-foot-6 guard has impressed evaluators with his versatile scoring and poise in high-usage situations. Questions remain about whether he profiles as a full-time point guard at the professional level, but scouts cited his polished offensive game as a key separator.
Peterson averaged 20 points over his first three college appearances before a hamstring injury sidelined him. He returned on Dec. 7 and scored 17 points in 23 minutes.
Dybantsa’s two-way intrigue
Dybantsa, a 6-9 forward, is contributing 20.9 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game while shooting better than 55 percent from the field. His combination of size and positional versatility has attracted interest, though some scouts remain concerned about his perimeter consistency.
Boozer’s late surge
Boozer has moved firmly into the conversation by averaging 23.0 points and 9.9 rebounds for Duke. His production has placed him among early National Player of the Year candidates, yet evaluators are still assessing his explosiveness and long-term ceiling.
With the college season still unfolding, front-office opinions could shift, keeping the battle for the draft’s top selection wide open.
Source: Hoops Wire
