Darryn Peterson, the No. 2 pick in the 2026 draft, did not arrive in the NBA to go unnoticed, but to take the controls of a Utah Jazz side that clearly needs a jolt of excitement and hope.
The 19-year-old started the season somewhat tentatively, but it did not take him long to come out of his shell and deliver performances as brilliant as the one in the early hours of this morning against the Houston Rockets. He could not prevent the defeat, but he made it clear that he has no shortage of talent.
In 34 minutes on court, this University of Kansas product racked up 28 points (a career high in his still short career), 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and 1 block, very much the reference point of a team going through a rough patch; no wonder, with a painful record of 1-11.
The point is that what the team is today and what it could become with him are two different things. That is why we are stopping to take a look at this young talent. Here are the images. You be the judge.
Although comparisons are odious, we cannot overlook a statistic that makes it quite clear what kind of player we are dealing with. With tonight’s 28 points, Peterson has now scored at least 20 points in five consecutive games, something no rookie had managed in Salt Lake City since the 2017-18 season. Yes, it was Donovan Mitchell who did it.
On course to contend for Rookie of the Year, Peterson is currently averaging 16.3 points, 4 rebounds and 3.9 assists. The point is that he must surely keep improving. We will be watching closely.
(Photograph by IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
