Kansas guard Darryn Peterson was the No. 2 overall selection by the Utah Jazz in the 2026 NBA Draft at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, Tuesday night. Peterson is the highest KU draft selection since Andrew Wiggins went No. 1 in 2014.
Peterson becomes the 20th lottery selection in Kansas history and the 14th in the Bill Self era, which began in 2003-04. The NBA lottery began in 1985 and recognizes the top 14 players chosen in the NBA Draft
"Tonight was a great night for Darryn, his family, and all KU supporters," Self said. "I obviously feel that he is the best prospect in the draft, and he'll have an opportunity to prove that in Utah. Darryn has as much upside as anybody we've had here at Kansas. The fans in Salt Lake City will be so excited watching him play on a nightly basis. Our hope now is that Tre (White) and Melvin (Council) can have their name called. But even if not, I feel like they're in good position to pursue their career."
Peterson becomes the fifth Kansas player drafted by the Utah Jazz, and the first since center Udoka Azubuike was taken in the first round at No. 27 overall in 2020. Other Jayhawks selected by the franchise include current KU assistant coach Jacque Vaughn in 1997 (first round, No. 27 overall), Greg Ostertag in 1995 (first round, No. 28) and Kelly Knight in 1984. Peterson joins a Jazz roster which also includes former Jayhawk Svi Mykhailiuk, who has played for the team the past two seasons.
A 2026 Associated Press All-America Honorable Mention and All-Big 12 Second Team selection, Peterson led Kansas in scoring at 20.2 points per game, which set the KU freshman scoring average record. The Canton, Ohio, native was named to the 2026 Big 12 All-Freshman Team and NABC Central Region All-District First Team. He also led KU with 63 threes made and posted 12 games of 20 or more points, including three of his last four games. In addition to his KU freshman scoring average record, Peterson also ranked on the KU freshman lists in free throw percentage (3rd, 82.6%), free throws made (4th, 109), three-point field goals attempted (T5th, 165), points (6th, 484), three-point field goals made (6th, 63), field goals attempted (7th, 356), free throws attempted (8th, 132), field goals made (9th, 156), and three-point field goal percentage (10th, 38.2%).
With the selection of Peterson, KU now has 90 all-time NBA Draft selections, including 32 in the Self era. Since the NBA adopted a two-round draft in 1989, Kansas has had 29 first-round selections and 47 total draft picks.