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Why Darryn Peterson's recent draft projection is actually a good thing

The former Kansas Jayhawk could quickly become an NBA star
ByConnor Mardian|
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Mar 22, 2026; San Diego, CA, USA; Kansas Jayhawks forward Flory Bidunga (40) and guard Darryn Peterson (22) and guard Melvin Council Jr. (14) look on in the first half against the St. John's Red Storm during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images
Mar 22, 2026; San Diego, CA, USA; Kansas Jayhawks forward Flory Bidunga (40) and guard Darryn Peterson (22) and guard Melvin Council Jr. (14) look on in the first half against the St. John's Red Storm during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images | Denis Poroy-Imagn Images

Every single basketball player dreams of being the one to hear their name called first in the NBA Draft. It is a prized possession that catapults you into stardom and is something that no one can ever rip away from you. 

But it isn’t the end of the world if you fall just short

Darryn Peterson’s current circumstance 

While Peterson was largely considered the NBA’s top prospect for a majority of last season, his form tailing off combined with the worries over his cramping issues opened the door for BYU’s AJ Dybantsa to get a firm grasp on the pole spot. 

Dybantsa finished his sole season with the Cougars, averaging 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists on a stellar 51% rate from the field, on approximately 35 minutes per game. 

Peterson put up 20.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists with a 43.8% field goal mark, but on only 29 minutes and just 24 games played all season.

Latest mock draft sends Peterson to the Indianapolis Pacers

Of course, the NBA is under a month from figuring out where teams will land on the draft board ahead of June 23rd, but Jeremy Woo’s latest mock draft had Dybantsa landing with the Washington Wizards with the No. 1 overall pick, and the Pacers falling to No. 2 and then selecting Peterson. 

According to Woo, the Pacers have a 52.1% chance of landing inside the top four, meaning they will keep the pick 

If they are able to select the likes of Peterson, then Indy is on course to make waves in next season’s NBA Playoffs. 

It’s easy to forget that not even a year ago, the Tyrese Haliburton-led Pacers made it all the way to game seven of the NBA Finals, before Haliburton’s torn Achilles ruled him out this entire season, and handed the Oklahoma City Thunder the Larry O’Brien. 

While it is bold to assume that Haliburton will be back to full strength from minute one next season, having a shooter as dangerous as Peterson could aid Haliburton’s return. 

While at Kansas, Peterson was primarily a scoring outlet. In high school, Peterson was able to assert himself as a playmaker, meaning if he can return to his high skillset under offensive mastermind Rick Carlisle, then there is no ceiling on the Pacers. 

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