The plan has been there for Darryn Peterson for fairly a while. Heralded as a center schooler, the Canton (Ohio) native was already a well-known title in basketball circles earlier than he entered the highschool ranks. He spent his first two years at Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy (Ohio), made the transfer to Huntington Prep (W.Va.) for his junior marketing campaign, then in the end transitioned to nationwide powerhouse Prolific Prep (Napa, Calif.) for his closing marketing campaign. Whereas some might think about going to a few faculties in 4 years a damaging, the truth that the 5 star guard leveled up a platform yearly was helpful, each individually and from a workforce standpoint.
“I believe it’s nice. Each step of the journey has been a studying course of for me”, Peterson informed Ballilsife as he mirrored on his highschool profession. “Clearly once we had been at CVCA, we weren’t the perfect. Final 12 months [at Huntington Prep], it obtained higher after which this previous 12 months [at Prolific Prep], it was even higher with all of the expertise we had. I’ve gotten higher all through the strikes as effectively.”
The numbers again that up as effectively: 30.3 factors, 7.2 rebounds, 7.4 assists, and a pair of.2 steals an evening for one of many nation’s finest groups for a nationwide powerhouse. Prolific Prep backed it up as a workforce, too. The Crew gained the Grind Session World Championship sport, made the Remaining 4 at Chipotle Nationals, and completed ranked No. 3 within the Ballslife FAB 50 rankings. Peterson made just about each all-star sport conceivable and was named the McDonald’s All-American Recreation Co-MVP, however there was one particular person accolade that actually stood out.
“I’d say the Naismith Participant of The 12 months,” the 18-year outdated informed Ballislife on which award meant essentially the most. “Final 12 months I made honorable point out, so simply to go from that to profitable it’s an instance of my exhausting work paying off.”
That it did. There was appreciable progress in quite a lot of areas of Peterson’s sport, particularly as a playmaker and as a 3-point shooter. Extra of a pure scorer, Prolific Prep coach Ryan Bernardi put the rock in DP’s fingers and let him go to work from the purpose guard spot. The 6-foot-5 guard was elite in decide and roll play, confirmed nice persistence calling for and rejecting screens, and continuously made excessive stage passes as soon as collapsing the protection. Whereas I personally beloved his progress as a playmaker, the Kansas freshman was extra excited in regards to the enchancment that he’s made in different areas on the hardwood.
“Hitting the three ball. This previous 12 months, I shot about 45 % from past the arc” Darryn proudly exclaimed about what progress in his sport he’s most proud of. “A aim of mine as I obtained older in highschool was to hit the three ball extra persistently. With guys getting larger and stronger, I gained’t be capable of dunk it as a lot, so I’ve to have the ability to use my talent and hit pictures.”
With the outstanding expertise Peterson has and the starvation he possesses to repeatedly get higher, it’s straightforward to understand why he’s already within the dialog for the highest decide within the 2026 NBA Draft. Naturally, NIL alternatives have adopted. Fanatics made him the youngest athlete of any sport signed to a buying and selling card deal. Whereas Adidas signed gamers resembling Tracy McGrady, Kobe Bryant, and Sebastian Telfair to sneaker contracts earlier than they made the league, Peterson was the primary energetic highschool participant that they signed to an NIL deal. The love that the three stripes has proven to the Peterson household is way appreciated, as effectively.
“It’s been nice. They took an opportunity with me being the primary,” mentioned Peterson, who names the Adidas D.O.N’s as his favourite shoe to play in. “They might have selected a ton of different guys on the Adidas circuit, however they selected me and it’s been a blessing for me and my household.”
Kansas coach Invoice Self additionally selected Peterson to be the face of the workforce this 12 months, whereas persevering with to rock the three stripes. Self has mentioned that he’ll put the ball within the immensely gifted freshman’s fingers, which will definitely give him the chance to place himself within the combine for the highest decide within the 2026 Draft. Regardless of his immense abilities, the common-or-garden Peterson was fast to remind me that there are nonetheless quite a lot of issues he desires to enhance upon in what’s destined to be his lone season as a Jayhawk, telling Ballislife “I wish to use my dimension extra and maintain bettering as a facilitator.”
Immensely gifted, humble, and hungry. Definitely sounds just like the recipe of a really particular prospect when you ask me.
Darryn Peterson: Lovin’ It At McDonald’s
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