Darryn Peterson vs. AJ Dybantsa NBA draft stock: Kansas star outshines BYU counterpart before cramps take hold originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The 1,000th game at Allen Fieldhouse was monumental because of two players: Darryn Peterson and AJ Dybantsa.
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While No. 13 BYU vs. No. 14 Kansas would have been an elite matchup on its own, the projected top two picks in the NBA Draft made it must-see television. From the start, a healthy Peterson was on fire, exploding for 18 points in the first half to give Kansas a 20-point cushion. On the other side, Dybantsa struggled along with the rest of the Cougars as Kansas cruised to a 90–82 win.
Peterson’s second half told a different story, however, as the KU freshman barely played because of cramps. With the star guard sidelined for all but four minutes of the final half, the Jayhawks were forced to rely on their depth to fend off a ferocious 33-point performance from BYU’s Richie Saunders.
If Peterson can stay on the floor, Kansas is a legitimate national championship threat. That was evident on Saturday. But once again, concerns about Peterson’s availability loom large.
MORE:Â Darryn Peterson and Kansas defeat AJ Dybantsa and BYU
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Darryn Peterson vs. AJ Dybantsa head-to-head matchup
AJ Dybantsa
Stats
Darryn Peterson
34
Minutes
20
17
Points
18
1
Rebounds
3
1
Assists
1
0
Steals
3
0
Blocks
0
6/12
Shots/Attempts
6/8
2/4
Three Point Shots/Attempts
3/5
3/4
Free Throws
3/4
2
Turnovers
0
Saturday’s matchup was a one-sided statement early on. Peterson looked every bit the projected No. 1 pick, returning from an ankle injury to drop 18 points in just 17 minutes of first-half action. He opened the game perfect from the field, punctuated by a thunderous transition dunk over a BYU defender that sent the Lawrence crowd into a frenzy and pushed the Jayhawks to a commanding 53–33 halftime lead.
While Peterson flourished, Dybantsa and the Cougars found the Allen Fieldhouse environment suffocating. The BYU star struggled to find his rhythm early, missing his first several attempts and remaining scoreless well into the first half while Peterson racked up steals and transition buckets. Dybantsa eventually found the bottom of the net with a deep triple, but he finished the half with just seven points, visibly frustrated by a Kansas defense that prioritized forcing him into difficult, contested jumpers.
The second half, however, became a tale of survival for Kansas as Peterson barely played. Following his explosive start, the star guard saw just four minutes of action after the break, exiting for good with 16 minutes remaining as Bill Self chose to protect his star’s recovering ankle. With Peterson relegated to the bench, the Jayhawks’ offensive rhythm sputtered, and a lead that once stood at 21 points got all the way down to four.
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The catalyst for the Cougars’ comeback was Richie Saunders, who turned Allen Fieldhouse into his personal shooting gallery. Saunders exploded for a career-high 33 points, including six three-pointers, as he willed BYU back within four points in the closing minutes. While Dybantsa eventually found a second-half rhythm to finish with 17 points, it was Saunders’ electricity that nearly spoiled the celebration.
Ultimately, Kansas used a career-high 21 points from Bryson Tiller and key stops to weather the storm, securing a 90–82 victory and proving they could hold the fort even when their top draft prospect was forced to watch from the sidelines.
MORE:Â Darryn Peterson’s dunk sends Phog Allen into a frantic frenzy
Darryn Peterson draft projection
Even in limited time, Peterson has taken the lead in the race for the No. 1 pick.
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In an ESPN poll of 20 NBA executives on “College GameDay,” NBA executives favored the Kansas guard 12–8 over Dybantsa. Scouts are calling him the most complete shooting guard prospect since Kobe Bryant, citing his pro-ready”footwork and an elite 42% mark from three-point range.
Despite missing 10 games this season due to a hamstring injury, an ankle sprain, and chronic cramping, his efficiency remains astronomical. Peterson is currently averaging 21.6 points in just 27 minutes per game, convincing scouts that he is the most reliable offensive engine in the class. Questions about his durability, however, may arise down the road.
MORE:Â Kansas Basketball sets historic mark in Saturday’s showdown against BYU
AJ Dybantsa draft projection
Dybantsa sits at the No. 2 spot, though he remains a generational 1B option with a physical profile that some scouts still prefer for long-term upside. At 6-foot-9 with a 7-foot wingspan, the BYU star is currently second in the nation in scoring at 23.6 points per game and recently made history with a 43-point outburst against Utah.
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While his shooting consistency from deep (31%) trails Peterson’s, his explosive athleticism and ability to dominate as a modern point-forward make him a safe bet to be a perennial All-Star at the next level.
MORE:Â How many NBA executives were at Darryn Peterson vs. AJ Dybantsa?
How old is Darryn Peterson?
Peterson is 19 years old, recently celebrating his birthday on January 17, 2026.
Born in Canton, Ohio, in 2007, he is slightly older than the average college freshman after a decorated high school career that spanned several elite programs.
MORE:Â AJ Dybantsa becomes latest elite athlete to join LinkedIn
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How old is A.J. Dybantsa?
Dybantsa is also 19 years old, having just celebrated his birthday two days ago on January 29, 2026.
The Brockton, Massachussetts native reclassified from the 2026 class to the 2025 class, yet he remains age-appropriate for the upcoming NBA Draft.
Despite his young age, he has already competed at the highest international levels, including winning the MVP of the FIBA Under-19 World Cup last summer.