Hawks brass watched Peterson dominate projected top pick Dybantsa, showcasing poise, shot-making, and advanced offensive skills under pressure.
In a building that has hosted generations of college basketball royalty, the Atlanta Hawks positioned themselves courtside for a glimpse of the future.
A delegation of five Hawks executives, including owner Tony Ressler, traveled to Lawrence, Kansas, on Saturday to evaluate projected top picks Darryn Peterson and AJ Dybantsa in a nationally anticipated matchup at Allen Fieldhouse. What unfolded offered clarity rather than debate.
Peterson seized the moment almost immediately. Within the opening minutes, the Kansas guard imposed control with a blend of confidence and shot-making that quieted the pregame buzz surrounding the duel. He scored nine points in the first five minutes without a miss, then delivered the defining sequence of the afternoon — stripping a loose ball headed toward Dybantsa, racing ahead in transition, waving off help, and isolating his counterpart in the corner. The defense was sound. The balance was not. Peterson’s off-kilter jumper dropped anyway, foreshadowing a night that never tilted back.
Kansas, ranked No. 14, rode that early surge to a 90-82 victory over No. 13 BYU in the 1,000th game played at the storied venue. Peterson finished with 18 points in just 20 minutes, shooting 6-of-8 from the field and 3-of-5 from three-point range while adding three steals. The efficiency came despite a strict minutes limit as he continues to manage lingering ankle, hamstring, and calf issues that have reduced his season to 11 appearances.
The box score only hinted at the broader evaluation taking place in the stands. As BYU adjusted by sending aggressive help and crowding Peterson’s space, he responded with poise rather than force — keeping his dribble alive, making rapid reads, and delivering difficult passes once the ball was picked up. It was a controlled response under pressure, precisely the type of trait NBA decision-makers seek when possessions tighten and advantages shrink.
For Atlanta, the performance carried particular relevance. The Hawks already employ Jalen Johnson, an explosive forward whose strengths flourish in transition and against mismatches. When games slow and defenses load up, Atlanta has often lacked a perimeter option capable of dictating terms late in possessions. Peterson’s measured style, comfort in isolation, and shot creation profile suggest a potential counterbalance — a player who can stabilize offense when momentum fades.
Dybantsa, meanwhile, faced a difficult afternoon. The BYU freshman entered averaging a nation-leading 23.6 points but did not attempt a shot until nearly nine minutes into the game. Kansas’ defense limited his early touches, and while he finished with 17 points, the flow never fully shifted in his favor. Richie Saunders carried the Cougars with a career-high 33 points, keeping the game competitive after Kansas built a 21-point lead, but the early damage held.
The anticipated head-to-head lost some of its drama when Peterson exited early in the second half due to his minutes restriction, yet the impression had already been made. Kansas shot 64.3% in the first half and buried nine three-pointers, with Peterson accounting for all 18 of his points before intermission.
For the Hawks, the afternoon offered more than scouting notes. It provided a real-time stress test of two elite prospects under the brightest collegiate lights. If Atlanta ultimately finds itself weighing options at the top of the draft, the answer may not require overthinking.
On a stage built for legends, Peterson demonstrated control, adaptability, and composure — qualities that tend to translate when the stakes only grow higher.