Jazz pick Darryn Peterson with No. 2 in first huge decision of 2026 NBA Draft

The Jazz selected Darryn Peterson over Cameron Boozer with the second pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

There were many debates on who the Jazz would select with their second overall pick, but they ultimately decided on the Kansas guard as the next member of the franchise.

The Jazz are coming off a season in which they finished dead last in the Western Conference and have not made the playoffs since the 2021-22 season.

Darryn Peterson ahead of the 2026 NBA Draft. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Utah has some respectable young talent on the roster in Lauri Markkanen, Keyonte George and Walker Kessler, while Ace Bailey flashed some potential as a rookie after going No. 5 to the Jazz in the draft last season.

But now the Jazz might finally have the big star in Peterson to put around that talent.

Peterson was one of the best players in college basketball. He averaged 20.2 points for the Jayhawks and was one of the best scorers in college basketball.

Cameron Boozer ahead of the 2026 NBA Draft IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Peterson was a freshman from Canton, Ohio, and chose the Jayhawks over Ohio State, Kansas State and USC.

Peterson battled cramping issues throughout his freshman season — which he blamed on creatine usage after the season — but was a force when he was on the court.