TITLE: Darryn Peterson, Projected Top-Three Pick, Says He Wants LeBron-Like Longevity
SLUG: darryn-peterson-aims-for-lebron-james-career-longevity
CONTENT:
Kansas Jayhawks guard Darryn Peterson, one of the headliners of the 2026 NBA Draft class, said he hopes to replicate LeBron James’ remarkable career span.
Speaking with NBA Future Starts Now via X on June 17, 2026, the Canton, Ohio, native revealed that although he has never met James, an Instagram comment from the Los Angeles Lakers star carried major significance.
“He said ‘H.I.M.,’” Peterson recounted, adding that James is “the GOAT” in his view and that the Lakers are his favorite team strictly because the four-time NBA champion plays there.
Peterson, 19, averaged 20.2 points and shot 38.6 percent from three-point range in his lone collegiate season. Most draft projections place the 6-foot-5 guard inside the top three selections this June.
The rookie-to-be acknowledged that matching James’ durability—23 seasons and counting—will be difficult, but called it a goal that fuels his off-season preparation.
If James reaches a new agreement with the Lakers, the 41-year-old forward could return for a 24th season, creating the possibility that Peterson will face his childhood idol on an NBA court.
Source: LakersNation.com
