Kansas guard Darryn Peterson is limiting his private pre-draft workouts and visits to two franchises ahead of the 2026 NBA Draft, a move that immediately sharpened focus on the top of the board.
NBA insider Evan Sidery reported Friday, May 29, that Peterson plans to conduct private workouts only with the Washington Wizards and Utah Jazz, the teams holding the first two selections after the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery. Sidery added that Peterson is “widely viewed as the No. 2 overall prospect” behind BYU star AJ Dybantsa.
The decision stands out less than a month before the draft, which is scheduled for June 23-24 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Restricting workouts to two teams often signals confidence about draft range, especially for prospects expected to hear their names called near the top of the lottery.
Washington enters the draft with the No. 1 overall pick after winning the lottery for the second time in three years following a 17-65 season. Utah owns the No. 2 selection after finishing 22-60 and is positioned to add another foundational piece to its rebuild.
Dybantsa remains the heavy favorite to go first overall after leading college basketball in scoring and winning the Julius Erving Award, leaving Peterson widely projected as one of the next names available. Peterson’s decision to meet only with Washington and Utah naturally raises questions about how both front offices view the top of their boards.
If the Wizards select Dybantsa at No. 1, Peterson could become Utah’s leading option at No. 2. The Jazz have also been linked to Duke forward Cameron Boozer, whose family ties to the organization add another layer to the evaluation process.
Peterson’s lone season at Kansas strengthened his standing despite an interrupted campaign. The freshman guard appeared in 24 games and made 23 starts, averaging 20.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 29.0 minutes per contest.
The Kansas product also showed shooting versatility, making 38.2% of his 3-point attempts while converting 82.6% from the free-throw line. His statistical profile points to a perimeter scorer capable of creating offense while stretching the floor.
