Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Jazz Draft Darryn Peterson No. 2, Kansas Star

6/24/2026

34 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Jazz Drafts Peterson

Jazz chose Darryn Peterson with the No. 2 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft on June 24, 2026.
Peterson averaged 20.2 points for Kansas and shot 43.8%/38.2%/82.6%.
He missed 11 of his first 27 college games because of full-body cramping and injuries.
Austin Ainge and Danny Ainge met him in Canton, Ohio, saying he fits team’s culture.
He will join Keyonte George and Ace Bailey in the Summer League to prove NBA readiness.

Summary

Jazz Drafts Peterson

The Jazz finished 2025-26 17-65, tying for the league’s worst record and ending a multi-year tanking phase.
Utah’s 2026 roster adds former Kansas guard Svi Mykhailiuk and 2020 pick Udoka Azubuike.
The core of Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Keyonte George positions rookie Peterson as the franchise’s fifth Jayhawk ever drafted.
Front-office veteran Danny Ainge and head coach Will Hardy will oversee Peterson’s NBA transition.

Summary

Jazz Secures No.2

The Utah Jazz rose to the No. 2 selection in the May 2026 draft lottery, their highest pick since 1980.
Hundreds of fans gathered at The Shops at South Town in Sandy for a draft watch party, with the first 500 receiving free Salt Lake City Summer League tickets.
Some fans arrived as early as midnight and helped staff set up barriers, underscoring community excitement for the team’s new direction.

History

Historical Context

Founded in 1989, the Minnesota Timberwolves endured early losing seasons before the June 28 1995 NBA draft—the first held outside the United States—when they used the No. 5 pick to select high-school star Kevin Garnett. Garnett’s arrival sparked a turnaround that produced eight consecutive playoff berths (1997-2004) and a 2004 MVP award, reshaping the franchise’s identity.

1 of 4

Jazz Drafts Peterson

Jazz chose Darryn Peterson with the No. 2 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft on June 24, 2026.
Peterson averaged 20.2 points for Kansas and shot 43.8%/38.2%/82.6%.
He missed 11 of his first 27 college games because of full-body cramping and injuries.
Austin Ainge and Danny Ainge met him in Canton, Ohio, saying he fits team’s culture.
He will join Keyonte George and Ace Bailey in the Summer League to prove NBA readiness.

1 / 4