Darlin Peterson, the second overall pick in the 2026 NBA draft, joins the Utah Jazz.

June 24 - According to ESPN, the Utah Jazz selected Kansas guard Darlin Peterson with the second overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, adding another shooting guard to the team's young core.

Peterson expressed his excitement about joining the Jazz. He revealed that he felt comfortable meeting the team during the NBA Combine, and that the Jazz management's trip to his hometown of Canton, Ohio, before the draft made him feel valued.

In an interview, he said, " They came to my hometown to see me, which meant a lot to me. We had a great chat and talked about team plans, and I can't wait to join the team. " He added, " Now I know where my new home is, and I'm really looking forward to starting work. "

Peterson averaged 20.2 points per game for Kansas last season, setting a new freshman scoring record for the university. However, he missed 11 games due to health issues and left some games early. Reports indicated the symptoms were related to high-dose creatine intake, but an internal assessment by the Jazz did not identify any long-term risks.

Utah Jazz President of Basketball Operations Austin Ainge stated that the team values Peterson's talent, character, and professional attitude, and believes he can quickly integrate into the existing roster.

Image source: Internet