Darryn Peterson Says NBA Will Showcase Parts Of His Game Kansas Fans Never Fully Saw

Darryn Peterson Says NBA Will Showcase Parts Of His Game Kansas Fans Never Fully Saw

Darryn Peterson arrived in Utah as one of the NBA's most accomplished young scorers, but the former Kansas star believes fans have yet to see everything he can do.

Speaking at his introductory press conference after being selected No. 2 overall by the Utah Jazz, Peterson said he hopes to showcase parts of his game that weren't fully displayed during his lone season with the Jayhawks.

"I think my two-way ability, that I can play both sides of the ball at a good level," Peterson said. "I want to bring offense and defense to the team. Also my playmaking. I think I didn't get to showcase as much at Kansas, but hopefully I can bring that here."

Peterson averaged 20.2 points per game despite battling multiple injuries throughout the 2025-26 season. While his scoring ability made him one of college basketball's top prospects, he believes his passing and defensive versatility will become bigger parts of his game in the NBA.

Later in the press conference, Peterson described himself as a player capable of becoming an elite defender.

"I would like to say I can be a lockdown defender," Peterson said. "Obviously, I haven't guarded the best in the world yet, but I'm willing to take this challenge. ... I'm a Kobe guy, so he played both sides of the ball and that's my idol, so I'm trying to lock down on defense."

Utah president of basketball operations Austin Ainge echoed those sentiments, calling Peterson a "complete player."

"He can drive left. He can drive right. He can shoot off the dribble. He can shoot off the catch. He can pass. He can guard," Ainge said. "That makes him an easy guy to fit in because he can play with all sorts of different players."

For Peterson, becoming more than just a scorer is the next step as he begins his NBA career.

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