Why Darryn Peterson Could Be the No. 1 Pick in 2026
AJ Dybantsa and Cameron Boozer Lead the Hype, But Darryn Peterson May Be the Best Prospect Yet
Breaking Down Darryn Peterson: The Dark Horse for the 2026 NBA Draft's No. 1 Pick
Every once in a while, around this time of year, I like to break up the monotony of evaluating the current draft class. While the 2025 NBA Draft class—headlined by elite-tier prospects like Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, and Ace Bailey—deserves the hype, I recently took a day off to turn my focus toward 2026. And let me tell you, what I found is compelling enough to make me believe that the storyline for the 2026 draft will rival any in recent memory.
At the heart of this intrigue is Darryn Peterson, a player who might not yet have the same spotlight as AJ Dybantsa or Cameron Boozer, but one who is poised to disrupt the narrative. After spending the last few days watching his film, diving into his stats, and speaking with scouts and coaches, I’m convinced that Peterson has a legitimate shot at being the first name called on draft night in 2026.