Darryn Peterson shockingly drops to No. 5 in Kevin O'Connor mock draft
Kansas Jayhawks freshman Darryn Peterson was once widely projected as the consensus favorite for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. While that is no longer the case after a season largely defined by inconsistency and injuries, Peterson is still widely considered one of the most elite prospects in this class.
Despite playing hurt for much of his freshman campaign, he was still arguably the most impressive scorer in college basketball. When fully healthy, fans can expect to see a walking highlight reel whenever he is on the court and looks like a promising professional player. But which team will take him?
That depends on the results of the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery, of course, but one league insider offered a hot take in a mock draft. Kevin O'Connor projected Peterson at No. 5 overall to the Utah Jazz ( via Yahoo Sports ): "Peterson is the most tantalizing puzzle in this draft class.
The shot-making is real. He can pull up from anywhere and get to his spots. Plus he’s 6-6 and plays with a fluidity that just screams superstar.
Not to mention he’s a defensive playmaker with the tools to guard multiple positions and the approach to impact the game even if he’s not scoring. There’s a strong possibility that teams are making a mistake letting him fall out of the top-3. But league sources have said since midseason that there’s a chance Peterson could slip depending on how his medical report looks after injury issues derailed his freshman year.