Kansas Jayhawks guard Darryn Peterson has never been short on self-belief, but his latest move ahead of the 2026 NBA Draft has fans and analysts scratching their heads. The freshman standout, who averaged 20.2 points per game this season, has reportedly refused to meet with any team other than the Washington Wizards, the current holders of the No. 1 pick. While Peterson's camp insists they're playing chess, many online are calling it a rookie-level blunder.
According to ESPN's Shams Charania and Jeremy Woo, Peterson has only granted access to the Wizards, passing on opportunities to sit down with the Utah Jazz (No. 2) and other lottery teams. This comes despite Peterson missing 11 games due to cramping issues linked to high creatine intake—a red flag for some front offices. Meanwhile, BYU's AJ Dybantsa, the projected top pick, has conducted formal visits with both Washington and Utah, showing a willingness to engage with potential suitors.
“Developments ahead of the June 23-24 NBA draft: BYU’s AJ Dybantsa has conducted formal visits with both the Washington Wizards (No. 1) and Utah Jazz (No. 2) while Kansas’ Darryn Peterson only visited the Wizards and does not plan to grant anyone else a meeting,” Charania reported. “Both have believed in going No. 1 — and now teams in the lottery are taking note of Peterson’s decision to only give access to Washington.”
Fan reaction has been swift and brutal. “Wow not a good look,” one commenter wrote. “Peterson played half his games. Who does he think he is to not grant anyone else meetings.” Another fan called the strategy “weird and immature,” while a third added, “I like his confidence but Darryn Peterson should definitely at least have a visit with the Jazz.” The criticism highlights a growing perception that Peterson is overplaying his hand.
Peterson's freshman season was undeniably impressive when he was on the floor—shooting 43.8% from the field and leading the Jayhawks in scoring. But durability concerns and a limited sample size have some scouts questioning whether he's ready for the top spot. In contrast, Dybantsa led Division I in scoring and has been praised for his physicality and two-way potential. As Woo noted, “Dybantsa is a strong fit for Washington on paper... with his physicality and athletic tools giving him major two-way upside.”
This isn't the first time a prospect has tried to dictate the draft process, but it rarely ends well. For context, holdouts and limited meetings have backfired in other sports, too. And while Peterson's confidence is admirable, the NBA is a league where mock drafts can flip overnight—as CBS recently showed by projecting Peterson leapfrogging Dybantsa. That kind of buzz makes his refusal to meet other teams even more puzzling.
If the Wizards do take Dybantsa at No. 1, Peterson could fall to a team that hasn't even interviewed him—a risky proposition for any player, let alone one with injury questions. The draft is still weeks away, but Peterson's gamble is already the talk of the league. Will it pay off, or will it go down as a costly lesson in humility?
