Grade

1st Overall Pick - 3rd Overall Pick

2026 Draft Class

Darryn Peterson

Kansas

6'6''

205lbs

Age 19

May 14, 2026

Executive Summary

Darryn Peterson projects as a dynamic three-level scoring guard who thrives with the ball in his hands, using speed, control, and a quick release to create offense at all levels. He flashes high-end shot creation and pick-and-roll ability, with the tools to pressure defenses and score both at the rim and from the perimeter.

Strengths

Offense inside, Offense perimeter, and Playmaking

Weaknesses

Character concerns, Defense inside, and perimeter defense

Full Scouting Report

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Game IQ/Poise:

Pros:

•Doesn’t turn the ball over

•Decent off-ball movement

Cons:

•Hesitant on help defense

•Just keeps shooting

Athleticism/Frame:

Pros:

•Very fast with and without ball

•Very good control while in the air

•Bigger and taller than average guard

•All-around athlete, everything looks smooth

Cons:

•No stamina

•Struggled with lots of different injuries

Character:

•Scorers mentality

•Doesn’t show much emotion

•Doesn’t want it

•Claims of faking injury

•Zones out

Shooting:

Pros:

•Quick release

•Really good catch & shoot

•Doesn’t need a lot of space to get a shot off

Cons:

•Can be overconfident

•Always takes the first decent look

•Poor shot selection

Playmaking:

Pros:

•Really good pic & roll decision maker

•Can run an offense

Cons:

•Looks to score too much

•Not a reliable passer

Offense (perimeter):

Pros:

•Good ball handler

•Attacks every hole

•Quick first step

Cons:

•Sometimes forces shots

•Favors driving left

Offense (inside):

Pros:

•Physical finisher

•Good touch

•Good finisher at high speed

Cons:

•No post moves

Defense (perimeter):

Pros:

•Good ball denier

•Gets in passing lanes

•Good recovery

Cons:

•Not much on ball pressure

•Loses man during off-ball movement

Defense (inside):

Pros:

•Good rebounding guard

•Good 2nd defender on post

Cons:

•Gets beat on switches on the inside

•Can’t guard up in positions

Transition:

Pros:

•Good at pushing the pace

•Gets out in transition very easily

Cons:

•Doesn’t run well without the ball

Player comp:

Ceiling:

•Damien Lillard; All-NBA

Floor:

Malik Monk; off the bench scorer

Archetype

•3 level-scorer

Teams:

•Nets, Kings, Grizzlies, Bulls

•Teams that are open to taking a risk for a franchise player

Ratings:

•Game IQ/Poise: 7.7/10

•Athleticism/Frame: 8.3/10

•Shooting: 7.9/10

•Playmaking: 8.1/10

•Offense (perimeter): 8.4/10

•Offense (inside): 9.2/10

•Defense (perimeter): 7.6/10

•Defense (inside): 6.8/10

•Transition: 7.4/10

•Intangibles/Character: 5.3/10

Total: 80.07/100

Games watched:

•vs UNC, vs TCU, vs Iowa St, vs BYU, vs Texas Tech, vs St. John’s (round of 32)

Matthew Jewell

Head NBA Scout and Analyst View Full Bio

I am a sports analyst and research assistant for the WSU Sports Management department with a central focus on the NBA. I break down players, teams, and schemes through film study and data to deliver sharp, in-depth scouting reports, and team evaluations. I’m born and raised in Castro Valley, California and am currently seeking a degree in Data Analytics with a focus in Sports Management.

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