Throughout last season, the consensus was that this year's NBA draft could be the best class in years. Some NBA analysts went so far as to declare that Cooper Flagg would have a hard time going first overall in this year's draft.
To say something like that following the Dallas Mavericks forward's phenomenal rookie campaign felt like an exaggeration to some, but when we look at the seasons AJ Dybantsa , Darryn Peterson , and Cameron Boozer just put together, it makes us wonder.
Still, the general consensus was that Peterson should have been selected with the first pick by the Washington Wizards , given the level of play he displayed. Instead, on draft night, he was selected with the second pick by the Utah Jazz , which didn't sit well with him, to say the least.
" Kobe is my guy, and I'm inspired by him," Peterson said . "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, so that's what I'm going to go do. I see a guy that went No. 1 on the screen there right now, so I'm extra motivated... It will always be in my mind for my whole career."
It is a far cry from saying Dybantsa didn't deserve to be chosen with the top pick. At the end of the day, the BYU product averaged 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.1 steals on 51.0 percent shooting from the field and 33.1 percent from the 3-point line, taking home the scoring title.
On the other side, the Kansas Jayhawks product put up 20.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.4 steals while shooting 43.8 percent from the field and 38.2 percent from deep. While the numbers tilt in Dybantsa's favor, the catch lies in the following details.
Peterson played 11 fewer games due to chronic injuries and cramps, which led to a minutes restriction for most of the season, limiting him to 29.0 minutes per game compared to Dybantsa's 34.8.
Furthermore, the man who grew up idolizing Kobe Bryant seemed reserved in most games for those exact reasons, as if he were at peace dominating from the perimeter with his jump shot because he was simply so good that he didn't need to do more, which captured the imagination of team GMs.
Dybantsa, meanwhile, went full force every single game, shattering several records along the way and showcasing a wide spectrum of scoring capabilities on offense. Nonetheless, Kendrick Perkins has a definitive take on arguably the most talented player in this draft class .
"When it comes to his talent, his pace, and his shooting, (they) would translate to the NBA easily. He is good on the pick-and-roll, knows how to make the right reads. Low end, Bradley Beal. High-end, Kobe Bryant," Big Perk declared .
Still, his avoidance of attending all draft pre-workout sessions, combined with the fact that he handpicked the teams he wanted to work with, has already prompted some NBA legends like Danny Green to wonder if there is something the 6-foot-6 guard is hiding — not to mention that comparisons to Kawhi Leonard have already begun to circulate.
Be that as it may, the court remains the only measuring stick to prove to everyone that Peterson should have been picked first ahead of Dybantsa — a man he outplayed in their head-to-head matchup this season, showcasing the full splendor of his talent, maturity and dominance.
If he truly lives by the Mamba Mentality logic, then we shouldn't have to wait long for his words to come to fruition, and for the sight of AJ's name being called before his own to serve purely as the fuel that will lay the foundation for the rest of Darryn's career.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Jun 25, 2026, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
