Is Darryn Peterson‘s grip on the top pick in the 2026 NBA draft loosening?
The Canton native who played high school basketball at CVCA for his freshman and sophomore seasons has struggled with injuries in his first season of college basketball.
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Peterson, who some think will make the USA Olympics team, has played in just seven of Kansas’ 16 games this season and has been banged up in parts of the games he has played in. The Jayhawks are 11-5 on the year.
Worse for Peterson, he may not be the slam dunk No. 1 pick in the June draft. In the latest mock draft from USA TODAY, BYU’s AJ Dybantsa gets taken first overall while Peterson slips to second.
Here’s what reporter Bryan Kalbrosky said of the pick:
“With an unprotected pick acquired from the New Orleans Pelicans in the Derik Queen trade during the 2025 NBA Draft, the Hawks will have a chance to find a great young player to replace Trae Young if Darryn Peterson does not go No. 1 overall. Even though a nagging hamstring injury has limited his minutes for Kansas this season, his ceiling as a floor general projects him as one of the best guards in the league for years to come. Peterson is already advanced well beyond his years and he would change the trajectory of this organization no matter where he is selected.”
SB Nation’s Ricky O’Donnell, who has been doing mock drafts for years, also has Peterson not being taken first overall.
Former Duke standout Kyrie Irving likewise was held back by injuries during his collegiate career, but that didn’t stop the Cleveland Cavaliers from selecting him with the No. 1 overall pick of the 2011 draft.
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Perhaps Peterson’s path will echo Irving’s and keep him at No. 1 overall, but at least from the pundit point of view his grip on the top draft slot is now more tenuous.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Latest 2026 NBA mock draft has Darryn Peterson slipping off No. 1 slot