NBA Draft Weekend Recap: Standout Performances, Rising Prospects, and Unexpected Storylines
Darryn Peterson vs. AJ Dybantsa, Derik Queen’s Dominance, Jase Richardson’s Breakout, and More from a Wild Hoops Weekend
Super Bowl Sunday has come and gone, and while most of the sports world had its eyes on football, my weekend was all about basketball.
Between keeping up with college hoops, tracking international prospects, and attending an NBA game, there was no shortage of storylines. From the Dallas Mavericks’ draft outlook taking an unexpected turn to a historic high school duel that could reshape the 2026 NBA Draft conversation, this weekend had a little bit of everything.
We saw a projected first-rounder outplay two of the top three projected picks combined, an Ivy League sharpshooter continue to prove he’s the best shooter in the country, and a rising French prospect set a scoring record at the Adidas Next Generation EuroLeague Tournament.
Whether it was under-the-radar names making a statement or top prospects solidifying their status, this weekend was a reminder that the road to the NBA Draft is always evolving.
The Showdown of the Year: Darryn Peterson vs. AJ Dybantsa—A Rivalry That Could Define the 2026 NBA Draft
This was an instant classic. A duel that had everything—elite shot-making, high-level athleticism, and two future top NBA Draft picks trading blows in a way that will be remembered for years.
A few weeks ago, I wrote about Darryn Peterson and why I believed he had a legitimate case to challenge for the No. 1 spot in the 2026 NBA Draft, even with AJ Dybantsa being the overwhelming favorite. At the time, it might have seemed like a long shot—Dybantsa has been viewed as the consensus top prospect for years. But over the weekend, Peterson made a massive statement, putting together one of the most dominant scoring performances in recent high school basketball history and proving that this is very much a two-man race.
This wasn’t their first showdown. Back in December, Peterson led Prolific Prep to a win over Dybantsa’s Utah Prep squad, dropping 32 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists, while Dybantsa finished with 28 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists. But what happened over the weekend? That was different. That was legendary.