Former Kansas Jayhawks Guard Darryn Peterson Set to Make His Rookie Debut

Former Kansas Jayhawks guard Darryn Peterson is set to begin his NBA career Wednesday night when the Utah Jazz face the Memphis Grizzlies, setting up an exciting matchup against former Duke star Cameron Boozer. The two former college standouts were selected second and third overall in the 2026 NBA Draft, respectively, and will begin their professional journeys on the same court.

Peterson enters the NBA after an impressive freshman season at Kansas, where he established himself as one of the best young scorers in college basketball. The 6-foot-6 guard averaged 20.2 points and 4.2 rebounds per game while shooting 38.2% from three-point range. He led the Jayhawks in scoring and finished his lone season in Lawrence as the highest-scoring freshman in program history.

According to KU Athletics, Peterson also earned All-Big 12 Second Team and Big 12 All-Freshman Team honors. His ability to score from all three levels made him one of the most exciting players to watch during his time at Kansas.

Despite missing 11 games because of injuries and illness, Peterson delivered several memorable performances for the Jayhawks. He scored 32 points in an overtime victory against TCU and finished the season strongly during the postseason. He recorded 28 points against California Baptist in the NCAA Tournament before scoring 21 points against St. John's in Kansas' second-round loss.

Those performances helped solidify Peterson's status as a top NBA prospect and ultimately led the Utah Jazz to select him with the second overall pick. The Associated Press' coverage of Peterson's NBA Draft decision highlighted the scoring ability that made him such a highly regarded prospect.

Now, Peterson faces another major test against Boozer, who was selected third overall after an outstanding season at Duke. Boozer averaged 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game in college, earning national player of the year recognition. The matchup gives basketball fans an early opportunity to compare two of the most talented players from the 2026 draft class.

Peterson has already shown promise during the preseason, including a 23-point performance in his second game. He also recorded 13 points, six rebounds and six assists in his final preseason appearance, demonstrating his ability to contribute beyond scoring.

The NBA's rookie preview identifies Wednesday's matchup as the beginning of Peterson's professional career and a chance to see how the top rookies perform in meaningful games.

For Kansas fans, Peterson's debut represents an opportunity to watch a former Jayhawk take the next step after an unforgettable season in Lawrence. With Boozer standing on the opposite side, the opening night matchup could be the start of a compelling rivalry between two young stars.  Jayhawks Roundtable.