During an interview with Chiney Ogwumike in early August, Darryn Peterson said that he had his car stolen at an Airbnb he was staying at. Peterson was asked if he had spent any money from his first contract yet, and he responded by saying his first and only big splurge was on a new car. The matte black Range Rover was a necessary purchase considering his previous mode of transportation was no longer in his possession.
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Darryn Peterson said that he had his car stolen at an …

#darryn

Brooklyn Nets rookie guard Mikel Brown Jr. had some hype around his name after being selected by the Nets with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Brooklyn was able to see Brown in action during the California Classic and Las Vegas Summer League and while he had some nice moments, he doesn't appear to be in the running for the Rookie of the Year award.
In the most recent odds posted by BetMGM, Chicago Bulls forward Caleb Wilson and Memphis Grizzlies forward Cameron Boozer are tied for the lead to win the Rookie of the Year award. As this relates to the Nets, Brown has the sixth-best odds of winning the award which could put him in a position to be a darkhorse for the award, but he has some tough competition to beat out.
In addition to the aforementioned Wilson and Boozer, Brown also has to compete with Washington Wizards forward AJ Dybantsa and Utah Jazz guard Darryn Peterson, all players that were drafted ahead of the former Louisville Cardinal. Brown, like most of the rookies in contention for the award, is in a position to get plenty of reps as the starting point guard if he's able to win the job coming out of training camp.
Brown, 20, is coming off a solid summer circuit in which he averaged 15.0 points, 4.0 ****** ists, and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 38.8% from the field and 34.6% from behind the three-point line. Brown has had some interesting moments over the course of the summer, but next season will show how ready he is to be an NBA-level point guard for head coach Jordi Fernandez.
Brown will be playing alongside forwards Michael Porter Jr. and Julius Randle so he will be at least third in the offensive pecking order, depending on where guard Egor Demin fits into that equation. If Brown is able to play better than expected, then he could find himself in the running for Rookie of the Year and that's something that Nets fans could be excited about moving forward.

#rookie #award #summer #able

As summer continues to wind down, anticipation for football and basketball season heats up. When the 2026-27 NBA slate begins, Tar Heel Nation will have its eyes glued to Caleb Wilson.
The Chicago Bulls' fourth overall pick in this year's NBA Draft, Wilson quickly impressed amongst the pro ranks earlier this summer, setting a new record for most points in a Summer League debut. Part of a historic Draft class with fellow top-4 picks AJ Dybantsa (first overall), Darryn Peterson (second) and Cameron Boozer (third), Wilson will treat fans to a plethora of exciting matchups in his rookie season.
One of Wilson's first matchups you should be paying attention to is the Bulls' home opener on Saturday, October 24, when they'll be facing Dybantsa and the Washington Wizards.
Wilson's first regular season game will be Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 7:30 p.m., when Chicago travels to face the Toronto Raptors. Dybantsa's rookie year begins that same day at 7 p.m., when Washington hosts the new-look Milwaukee Bucks.
Wilson played against the Wizards in Summer League, leading all scorers with 19 points in a 99-87 win, but Dybantsa sat out that game. Later in a postgame interview, Wilson said he'll play any chance he gets, as opposed to resting like his fellow Top-4 picks.

#Bulls

After dazzling in the NBA Summer League earlier this month, Chicago Bulls rookie Caleb Wilson earned high praise from Hall of Famer Charles Barkley on Tuesday.
Wilson was a consensus second-team All-American selection at North Carolina, averaging 19.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.7 ******* ists, 1.5 steals and 1.4 blocks while shooting 57.8% from the field. He set the freshman program records for scoring average and 20-point games (17).
The 6-foot-10 Wilson was highly touted entering the draft because of his versatility, athleticism and physical traits, boasting a 7-foot, 1/4-inch wingspan. Barkley, speaking on the "Dan Patrick Show," believes the Bulls hit a home run by selecting Wilson with the fourth overall pick.
I think the Chicago Bulls got the best rookie in the NBA. When I was talking to coaches and general managers, they are like, 'Who would you take with the No. 1 pick?' I said, 'Caleb Wilson.' They are like, 'What do you mean?' I said, 'I like (AJ) Dybantsa. I like (Darryn) Peterson. There was no player I would have taken before Caleb Wilson. Not one.' Peterson and Dybantsa are probably better scorers at this stage, but he can learn how to shoot. Let me tell you something: From an athletic point, he can guard one, two, three, four. Ain't ******* ody more talented than Caleb Wilson. Period.
Wilson was named to the All-Summer League first team, averaging 23.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.5 blocks, 1.8 ******* ists and 1.2 steals while shooting 41.9% from 3-point range in four games. He ranked fourth in total points (94) among all players, having scored 19 or more in each appearance.

#caleb #point

Darryn Peterson wanted to send a message during NBA Summer League with the foul limit originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
During the 2026 NBA Summer League, Darryn Peterson committed nine personal fouls during his debut for the Utah Jazz. It was clear that he was having fun with the unique rule at Summer League, where players are allowed up to 10 fouls before they are forced to sit on the bench.
Considering he was still impressive on offense with his 20.7 points per game average across the three games, he was still quite solid at Summer League. However, he wanted to make a point with his fouls, as he does not want his opponents to see him as a "weaker" player when it comes to physicality.
Ahead of the 2026 NBA Draft, scouts were worried about Peterson's strength, especially when it came to physicality. Some people also saw his injury struggles at Kansas as red flags for his future in the league. Like most players, Peterson became aware of that, so he wanted to make a point at NBA Summer League.
Since the scouts believe he struggles when the pressure goes up, he wanted to make sure that Summer League put a stop to those narratives. He was extra physical, which a lot of people did not expect, but it showed that he is ready for the league.

#players #still

Oh No He Didn't: Brian Windhorst on why Darryn Peterson wanted to foul a lot: "In summer league you get 10 fouls...as soon as Darryn Peterson found that out he said I'm gonna try to get 9 because he wants the players to learn he's going to play very physical. I was told he wants to foul because he wants to be physical, he wants to push the limits...he is not messing around, he is very serious about this"
x.com
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: I was told he wants to foul because he wants to be …

#wants #darryn #hoops

After Cameron Boozer and the Memphis Grizzlies fell to the Golden State Warriors in the 2026 NBA Summer League championship, fans were curious to know who would take home tournament MVP honors.
Although ESPN named Boozer their MVP of the tournament, NBA voters didn't quite see it the same way, awarding Boozer's rival, Yaxel Lendeborg, with the trophy. However, Boozer was recognized as one of the top players throughout the summer, being named to the 2026 NBA Summer League First Team. Boozer was joined by Lendeborg, Caleb Wilson, Brayden Burries and Meleek Thomas, the only second-rounder to make the first team.
Boozer's teammate Cedric Coward was named on the second team, as well as Zyon Pullin, Egor Demin, Liam McNeeley and another Duke alum, Khaman Maluach of the Phoenix Suns.
The top-two selections in the 2026 NBA Draft (AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson) did not make either team; however, they played in just two and three games, respectively.
This article originally appeared on Duke Wire: Cameron Boozer narrowly misses out on NBA Summer League MVP

#team #league

Through his first two NBA Summer League games, former UNC basketball star Caleb Wilson is putting the league on notice.
In his July 10 debut, Caleb Wilson scored a record 35 points. On Monday night, Wilson led all players with 19 points and five blocks.
Wilson's play is also drawing the attention of prominent sports journalists. In a Tuesday morning episode of ESPN's Get Up, ******* yst Seth Greenberg and ESPN NBA Senior Writer Vince Goodwill delivered massive praise for the former Tar Heel.
“If you look at upside, someone’s potential, not right now but two three years from now, he has the greatest upside of all these rookies," Greenberg said.
Wilson, the fourth overall pick in this year's NBA Draft, already faced off against third overall pick Cameron Boozer back on July 10, out-dueling him in the Chicago Bulls' 97-96 loss to the Memphis Grizzles. Wilson played against the Utah Jazz Monday night, but second overall pick Darryn Peterson didn't play.

The 2026 NBA Draft Class is one of the best in recent memory, featuring future All-Stars in Top-4 picks AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer and Caleb Wilson, who are all playing in the NBA Summer League.
Wilson enjoyed the best debut amongst his Top-4 counterparts, scoring a record-breaking 35 points in the Chicago Bulls' 97-96 loss to Boozer's Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night. Boozer scored 23 points to lead his new team, while Dybantsa and Peterson thrived on Thursday night.
Each of this year's Top 4 picks scored a minimum 20 points in their debuts, further proving 2026 as an all-time great Draft class.
Wilson made 12 of his 21 shots from the field, including a 7-of-11 mark from deep, while making two free throws. The rookie phenom added five rebounds, three blocks and two steals to his big night.
Boozer sank seven of his 12 shots, including his lone 3-point attempt, while adding six rebounds, four ****** ists, a steal and block apiece.

Kansas Jayhawks News
It's not quite Kansas news, but this ESPN article says Jazz fans are hyped after seeing Darryn Peterson in the Summer League
Through the Phog writes that Lance Leipold is trying to fix the biggest problem from last season
Links!
AJ Dybantsa's Wizards scraped past Darryn Peterson's Jazz last night

LAS VEGAS — Fans filled the Thomas & Mack Center wanting a show. No. 1 vs. No. 2 — AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson — from the most heralded draft class in a decade (at least), going head to head. Fans wanted to see if these two were worth the hype.
The fans got what they wanted.
It wasn't always efficient — they shot a combined 13-of-36 — and both showed things they needed to work on (Peterson had eight turnovers, Dybantsa was 0-of-5 from 3-point range). However, fans who came to see if these guys could live up to the hype were not disappointed.
Dybantsa was the best player on the floor and finished with a game-high 27 points. However, what stood out — what will translate to the NBA and make him a force — is his fluid athleticism. He's graceful, but he was blowing past guys, and his ability to get downhill at his size is impressive — he just glides. It's not to say he can't be physical, but this isn't like watching a Jalen Brunson drive. This feels effortless.
He also had some impressive finishes at the rim — he is a tough shot maker, and it showed.

AJ Dybantsa gets upper hand over Darryn Peterson in Las Vegas Summer League debuts originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
LAS VEGAS — Fans began lining up outside of Thomas and Mack arena for first-come, first-serve seating starting at around 7 in the morning, braving temperatures of up to 110 degrees before the doors opened at 11:30 am.
And they weren't there for the Hunter ****** inson vs. Rocco Zikarsky matchup that started off the day's games.
The buzz all day was around No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa facing off against No. 2 pick Darryn Peterson at 6pm local time. Jaren Jackson Jr. and Keyonte George were on the sidelines, jumping onto the floor during big plays. Deandre Ayton and Anthony Davis were among the Wizards who came to cheer on Dybantsa. Paul Pierce roamed along the baseline, schmoozing his way into baseline seats. Jalen Williams took them over as Pierce wandered off after the first quarter. Kings coach Doug Christie couldn't find a seat, so he watched the whole game standing to the side of press row.
MORE: The best and worst contracts of NBA Free Agency so far

Roughly two weeks after the Washington Wizards made AJ Dybantsa the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, the 6-foot-9 forward made his Las Vegas Summer League debut on Thursday.
Eager to show that he can live up to the hype and lofty expectations, the former BYU star brought the crowd to its feet with a rim-rattling poster dunk in the first quarter.
The highlight play went viral, sparking strong reactions from the NBA world.
Dybantsa’s first game in a Wizards jersey came against the Utah Jazz, featuring this year’s No. 2 pick, Darryn Peterson. With anticipation building for the duel, Washington’s rookie dazzled in front of a packed Thomas & Mack Center.
Late in the first quarter, Dybantsa drove past Cody Williams but ended up facing a swarm of defenders. Unbothered, he forcefully went up over Justin Harmon for the highlight play of the night. The slam had his Wizards teammates Trae Young and Deandre Ayton on their feet, cheering wildly for him.

LAS VEGAS — When the No. 1 pick goes up against the No. 2 pick, the stars come out.
The AJ Dybantsa vs. Darryn Peterson game was heavily attended at Las Vegas Summer League, with the lower bowl at Thomas & Mack center absolutely packed and NBA stars lining the court on all sides.
But the crowd was left a little underwhelmed, with the game not really reaching the level of hype it had garnered prior to tipoff.
“Look, they’re two of the best young players on the planet, and people are excited about them, and rightly so,” Jazz ******* istant coach Steve Wojciechowski said of Peterson and Dybantsa. “Those guys, from a very early age, have had to learn to handle the spotlight. And I’m not sure any games they’ve played in has been as big a spotlight as this one. ... And I thought both of them handled it really well.”
While both Peterson, the No. 2 overall pick by the Utah Jazz, and Dybantsa, the No. 1 overall pick by the Washington Wizards, were able to showcase a number of reasons that they are going to be centerpieces for their respective teams, this was not the Summer League classic that everyone was hoping for.

AJ Dybantsa vs. Darryn Peterson: Who won in their first NBA matchup? originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
It was a moment NBA and college hoops fans alike were waiting for ever since the NBA draft wrapped up. The No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa and the Washington Wizards going up against the No. 2 overall pick Darryn Peterson and the Utah Jazz.
Of course, the NBA kicked off its Summer Series with this matchup. It makes a statement to kick off the Summer Series with the most talked-about players.
Plus, adding to the drama at the Thomas & Mack Center was the reality that Dybantsa wasn't a shoo-in for No. 1. The Wizards could have easily gone with Peterson or even eventual No. 3 pick Cameron Boozer for that top slot, because all three players are so close in talent. So, did the Wizards make the right decision? That's the question they were hoping to answer.
So, who won? Frankly, they both did. Both players looked confident on the court and got buckets. ***** ody buckled under the pressure of the big lights and their first Summer League game. So, both franchises, and players, should feel good about their picks.

NBA fans highly anticipated the Las Vegas Summer League game on Thursday between the Utah Jazz and Washington Wizards. It was the first matchup between No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa and No. 2 pick Darryn Peterson. The rookies gave spectators a good show, leading their teams in scoring.
While Peterson scored 24 points, his nine fouls became a huge talking point. The Summer League allows up to nine personal fouls before fouling out. The Kansas product also committed eight turnovers on the night, and shot 6-of-18 from the field.
MORE: Kendrick Perkins sets incredibly high ceiling for Darryn Peterson’s career
Peterson’s uncommon stat was posted by NBA on ESPN on X and fans dropped their reactions in the comments section.
“I knew I wasn’t reading that wrong in the box score,” a reaction read.

How many points did AJ Dybantsa score today? Full stats, results, highlights from Darryn Peterson showdown originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
AJ Dybantsa, the first pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, will play his first game in the NBA Summer League. The Washington Wizards will take on Darryn Peterson and the Utah Jazz in a very exciting game.
You can check out all of Dybantsa's stats against Peterson and the Jazz today below.
Points: 2
Rebounds:

AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson stats today: Tracking live points, rebounds and more from Summer League showdown originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Washington Wizards held the first overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, opting to take AJ Dybantsa instead of Darryn Peterson, a decision the front office will hope works out in the future. While Summer League isn't going to determine who the better player is or what careers they'll have, this will be their first time going up against one another in the NBA.
You can find all stats and more from today's game between Dybantsa and Peterson below, with our live tracker here at Sporting News.
Points:
Rebounds:

Wearing his brand new Utah Jazz hat and sitting behind a microphone on draft night, Darryn Peterson was midway through his answer when something else — someone else — caught his attention. "Kobe is my guy, and I'm inspired by him. So I just try to think, what would Kobe do right now? He'd get drafted and move on and try to go be the best possible," Peterson said. Then the NBA draft's No. 2 pick glanced up at a television in the room. "I see a guy that went No. 1 on the screen right now," Peterson said. "So, I'm extra motivated."
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: "Kobe is my guy, and I'm inspired by him. So I just …

Every July, all 30 teams cram into two gyms in Las Vegas and we collectively overreact to basketball games that will be forgotten by Halloween. And yet, Summer League matters because it's the one place where every fanbase, from the contenders to the doomed, gets to squint at a 19-year-old and think, "Hey, he's gonna be a guy for us!"
Here are the 50 players I'll be watching, including one player from every team. Some are star rookies. Others are second-year guys who need to show something. A handful are just fighting for a chance in the league.
Peterson's lone Kansas season was a medical drama with a hamstring strain, mysterious cramps, and 11 frustrating absences. So naturally, he showed up in Salt Lake City and reminded everyone why he was still the second pick: 28 in his debut against Atlanta, including a 3 to answer a fourth-quarter push and another to break a tie in overtime. Two days later, 25 points and 12 ****** ists against Memphis. The guy with the cramps appears gone. The high school phenom has returned.
In high school, he was a dynamic playmaker who used his burst to get into the teeth of defenses and generate buckets for himself and his teammates, while also showing off the kind of shot-making that draws comparisons to Hall of Famers. At Kansas, he thrived in an off-ball role, stroking jumpers out of movement actions and showing he can scale up or down depending on what a roster needs. With Utah, he appears to be combining both of those skills to so far look like the star of the summer. Will this run continue? On Thursday night, he'll face off against the one player drafted ahead of him.
Dybantsa could become one of the NBA's most unstoppable shot-creators, but he's already under pressure entering his Summer League debut on Thursday with a matchup against Darryn Peterson, who is looking like a superstar for Utah, and with the third pick, Grizzlies forward Cameron Boozer, resembling a veteran All-Star.

The NBA draft has come and gone, free agency continues to blow in the wind, fireworks have popped off, hot dogs have been consumed. That only means one thing: it’s time for Summer League.
While the California Classic and SLC Summer League delivered a hint of what’s to come, the main event is here: 31 games in Las Vegas from Thursday to Sunday and then the action just keeps pouring in next week.
No matter how you feel about Summer League, it’s hard to deny it’s continued growth. As a matter of fact, when I played at UNLV (yes I did, yes it was a long time ago, please respect my privacy), there were moments where you could walk through Thomas & Mack Center and ******* Pavilion unbothered. Those days are long gone; it’s highly likely that anybody who is anybody will pop up and that anybody who wants to be somebody will be along for the ride. There’s an energy that’s hard to explain; the polos, the notebooks, the shuffle between arenas. The mix of Summer League veterans and people experiencing it for the first time delivers a unique charm.
Part of the charm is how much Summer League is about opportunity. There is the obvious nature of the headlining rookies — AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cam Boozer, Caleb Wilson, etc. — showcasing what they can do (and starting the weekend trying to do it against each other). It goes beyond that, though. There is a chance for returning players to focus in on different aspects of their game in a different role and a different context. There’s value in being able to get more on-ball reps, to carry more of a responsibility on both ends of the floor. You can lay a foundation that could pay off down the line.
How does that serve a defense and energy-first guy like the Lakers’ Adou Thiero? Do the extra opportunities give more wiggle room for Boston’s Hugo Gonzalez or San Antonio’s Carter Bryant to build on top of the things that earned them rotation minutes as rookies? Is this the right environment for Utah’s Cody Williams to build on the aggression he showed early last season? Can Orlando’s Jase Richardson show the flashes are hiding just how bright he could become?

NBA Summer League kicked during the holiday weekend. Between 4th of July cookouts, hot dog eating contests, regular season baseball and the World Cup, it's understandable if you weren't watching pre-preseason exhibitions featuring a lot of players who won't play once the regular season rolls around.
But just because it wasn't worth your time to watch it live that doesn't mean nothing notable happened. A number of notable draft picks including the second and third picks made their professional debuts. Here's how they did:
Darryn Peterson has incredibly high expectations this season. He scored 28 points in 27 minutes on 11-of-21 shooting. He made 4-of-7 three-pointers, grabbed five rebounds and had two ******* ists and two blocks to go along with a very Summer League-y eight turnovers in an overtime win over the Atlanta Hawks.
Kingston Flemmings, the eighth pick in the draft, had 14 points, nine ******* ists, four steals and just one turnover for Atlanta.
Cameron Boozer had 15 points, four rebounds and four ******* ists in 24 minutes. He made 7-of-11 shots and was 1-of-3 from three as the Memphis Grizzlies blew out the Oklahoma City Thunder, 111-74.

NBA Salt Lake City Summer League schedule: Times, channels, streams for Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer and more originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The NBA's rookie showcase comes to Salt Lake City for Fourth of July weekend as the Utah Jazz, Memphis Grizzlies, Oklahoma City Thunder and Atlanta Hawks tip off at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the University of Utah campus.
Four of the top 12 picks from the 2026 NBA draft should be on display, giving fans an early look at some of the most hyped prospects to enter the league in years.
Jazz fans will get their first glimpse of No. 2 overall pick Darryn Peterson, while the Grizzlies will debut No. 3 pick Cameron Boozer. Oklahoma City will roll out No. 12 pick Aday Mara, the 7-foot-3 center who helped Michigan claim the national championship this spring and immediately figures into the Thunder's long-term defensive scheme. Atlanta's Kingston Flemings, the No. 8 selection out of Houston, rounds out the headliners.
The Salt Lake City Summer League runs July 4, 6 and 7.

NBA Summer League schedule 2026: Times, TV channels, live streams to watch Vegas, Utah, California games originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The next generation of the NBA, including No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa, will start their careers at the 2026 NBA Summer League.
The league is divided into three events, beginning with a couple of four-team circuits: the California Classic Summer League and Salt Lake City Summer League. The California Classic gets underway on Thursday, July 3, with the Salt Lake City Summer League tipping off on Saturday, July 4.
Then, the complete 30-team event — the 2026 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas — gets underway on Thursday, July 9.
Dybantsa, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, will make his NBA Summer League debut for the Wizards. Also in Las Vegas, No. 2 overall pick Darryn Peterson and the Jazz, No. 3 overall pick Cameron Boozer and the Grizzlies, and No. 4 overall pick Caleb Wilson and the Bulls will all take the floor for the first time.

ESPN reveals why Luka Doncic finally got NBA blocks leader he wanted originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Los Angeles Lakers have struggled for years to find a solid center. This offseason, changes in priorities for both the Lakers and the Utah Jazz allowed Rob Pelinka to finalize a deal.
The Lakers first expressed interest in Walker Kessler during the 2023-24 season, well before Anthony Davis publicly called for more frontcourt help. According to ESPN, Los Angeles made multiple trade inquiries over the past two years, but the Utah Jazz consistently rejected those offers because their asking price remained too high.
This summer, two major developments changed the course of the negotiations. ESPN reported that Luka Doncic told the Lakers' front office its top priority should be finding an "A-list" center. At the same time, Utah became more willing to move Kessler as he entered restricted free agency, seeking a significant raise.
The Jazz had previously viewed Kessler as one of the league's best value contracts while he was still on his rookie deal. Their long-term plans shifted after selecting No. 2 overall pick Darryn Peterson, making future financial flexibility and additional draft **** ets more valuable than committing a large contract to Kessler.

“Bucketheads” is LGHL’s men’s basketball podcast, hosted by Connor Lemons and Justin Golba. In every episode, they give you the latest scoop on the Ohio State Buckeyes and everything else happening in college hoops.
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio
On episode 208 of the Bucketheads Podcast, Justin and Connor welcome on Prolific Prep ****** istant coach Paul Murray to talk about incoming freshman Alex Smith. Murray was the coach who worked most closely with Smith and had some great insights into what he will bring this season.
Coach Murray talks with us about Alex Smith, what he brings to Ohio State, what he is good at and much more. We also talked about Prolific Prep in general, Darryn Peterson and AJ Dybansta and how to prepare to play Cooper Flagg.
Before that, Connor reports back after attending a Buckeyes practice. Who stood out the most? What did he learn and observe, and what were some main takeaways?

Wizards named dark house landing spot for $101 million Lakers star, four-time NBA champion originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Things have gotten interesting fast for the Washington Wizards this offseason.
On top of selecting former BYU Star A.J. Dybantsa with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft instead of Darryn Peterson, the Wizards signed Trae Young to a lucrative four-year, $212 million contract extension to remain with the franchise.
Washington has also removed Anthony Davis from the trade block, signaling the franchise likes what it's building and doesn't want to break up its core anytime soon.
According to NBA insider Scoop B. Robinson, the Wizards are a dark horse contender to land Los Angeles Lakers star and four-time NBA champion LeBron James, which would undoubtedly make Washington the clear winners of the offseason.

John Wall has fun with AJ Dybantsa's arrival with the Washington Wizards originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
After getting selected first overall in the 2026 NBA Draft, AJ Dybansta is getting a warm welcome from the Washington Wizards. He is projected to be one of the star players for the franchise, so everyone in the organization is excited.
This includes former Wizards superstar John Wall, who was in the same position 16 years ago. Now that he is retired, he has stuck around the Wizards organization, as he is welcoming a lot of players as a team representative.
The rookie out of BYU is primed for a big-time rookie season for the Wizards. Dybantsa is one of the most promising prospects in recent memory, as he is a natural-born scorer, while possessing elite physical traits.
That makes him one of the most exciting prospects of this NBA Draft, which is why he was picked first over other elite prospects such as Darryn Peterson and Cameron Boozer. Even Wall was convinced Peterson was the better pick, but it seems he has accepted Dybantsa as a worthy selection.

Darryn Peterson is ready to emulate his hero, Kobe Bryant, with two-way success originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
As the second overall pick of the 2026 NBA Draft, Darryn Peterson has plenty of hype behind him. He was already a top player since high school, so he is quite familiar with the pressure he is under as the new star for the Utah Jazz.
It seems he is taking it in stride because he is comfortable talking about his strengths and how he can help the Jazz. In fact, he wants to emulate a legendary icon who is considered one of the greatest players of all time, Kobe Bryant.
Nowadays, people look at Kobe's legacy and see the excellent offensive game. He was one of the most talented scorers in NBA history, as he was always relentless with his shotmaking throughout the court.
However, he was also a defensive beast, but people don't talk about that often. Bryant is tied for the most NBA All-Defensive First Team selections at nine alongside the likes of Kevin Garnett, Michael Jordan, and Gary Payton.

LAWRENCE — Kansas basketball saw one player selected in this year's NBA draft, as Darryn Peterson went to Utah with the No. 2 overall pick in the first round.
Peterson spent just this past season in college with the Jayhawks as a freshman guard. He became an All-Big 12 Conference second-team selection and made the all-freshman team. He averaged 20.2 points and 4.2 rebounds per game while dealing with various health issues, for a team that would go on to reach the semifinals of the Big 12 tournament and the round of 32 of the NCAA tournament.
So now the conversation shifts to what’s possible for KU players in the 2027 NBA Draft. Who’s likely to be selected? Is there anyone who can step up and have a breakout year that puts their name in contention, too?
RELATED: How former Kansas basketball standout KJ Adams is progressing
Here’s a list of three Kansas players to watch out for: