Darryn Peterson hits four 3s, scores 28 points in first NBA summer league game
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- Darryn Peterson scored 28 points on 11-of-21 shooting in his summer league debut.
- Peterson made four 3-pointers, grabbed five rebounds and dished two assists.
- Peterson hit a pivotal 3 with 1:18 left in overtime and had eight turnovers in 27 minutes.
Former Kansas Jayhawks combo guard Darryn Peterson scored 28 points on 11-of-21 shooting with five rebounds and two assists in the Utah Jazz’s 103-102 overtime victory over Atlanta on Saturday.
The No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft was making his pro basketball debut in the Salt Lake City Summer League opener.
Peterson, a 6-foot-6, 19-year-old native of Canton Ohio, went 4-of-7 from 3-point range. He also blocked two shots. His only negative stat was an unsightly eight turnovers in 27 minutes.
“It felt great. I hadn’t played since my last game (for KU) in March. Playing another basketball game … this is what I love to do,” Peterson told reporters in Salt Lake City after Saturday’s game.
“I wouldn’t rate myself,” he added. “We got the win. I just wanted to help my team get a win. It was fun to be out here again.”
He scored on the first possession of his pro career, using a teammate’s high screen to escape for a driving layup off a halfcourt set. That bucket started an offensive show deemed “electrifying” by basketnews.com.
Peterson drilled a pivotal 3-pointer with 1:18 left in overtime to give the Jazz a 98-95 lead. Peterson shortly after coughed up his eighth turnover with 10 seconds to play and Utah up 100-97.
Former Houston standout guard Kingston Flemings hit a deep jumper — his toe was ruled on the 3-point line — with three seconds left in OT, slicing Utah’s lead to one, 100-99. Justin Harmon of the Jazz scored and converted a free throw to make it 103-99. Gabe Madsen hit a 3 at the buzzer to account for the one-point difference.
Of his defense, Peterson said: “I wasn’t good enough today. I missed a lot of box outs, got passed by a lot. I’ve got film tomorrow with coach (Will) Hardy. I know we’ll talk about it, but I’ve got to be a lot better on that side.”
Noted Dan Lower of jnotes.com: “Whether from distance, mid-range, or at the rim, Peterson delivered in his debut for Utah, even showing off a James Harden-like stepback on several occasions.
“With his stellar debut, Peterson already looks like another NBA legend who had a shaky handle early on. And DP gets an NBA legend as a mentor: Jazz minority owner Dwyane Wade.
“As a young player, Wade had a knack for scoring as well, going from 16.4 points a night as a rookie point guard to 24.1 in his second season when Miami smartly moved him to the off-guard spot to unlock his full potential. Peterson already has a better 3-point shot than Wade did, and the Jazz would be wise to put Peterson in the right spot (off guard) from the get-go.”
Former KU and St. John’s forward Zuby Ejiofor scored eight points while grabbing 11 rebounds for Atlanta. Former KU guard Zeke Mayo and former Missouri Tiger Tamar Bates of the Hawks did not play in the game (coaches’ decision).
Flemings, like Peterson a one-and-done player in college, had 14 points on chilly 4-of-16 shooting. He was taken by Atlanta as the eighth overall pick in the 2026 draft.
Peterson averaged 20.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game while shooting 43.8% from the field, 38.2% from 3-point range and 82.6% from the free-throw line during his one season at KU. He earned second-team all-Big 12 and Big 12 all-freshman team honors.
He was given a loud ovation during Saturday’s player introductions in his first NBA game before Jazz fans in Utah.
“It was crazy. On the runout for warmups they were yelling stuff,” Peterson said. “I’m super happy to be here. I’m glad they are loving me. Let’s keep it going.”
Of Peterson, fourth-year Jazz coach Hardy said: “We are excited about Darryn. Obviously being the second pick in the draft there’s a ton of expectation and hype to go along with that. To have him out here and getting his first experience alongside Ace (Bailey), Cody (Williams), Blake (Hinson), some guys who have been in our program a bit I think will be good for him.”
The Jazz will next meet Memphis and No. 3 overall pick Cameron Boozer at 8 p.m. Central Time on Monday.
This story was originally published July 4, 2026 at 8:00 PM with the headline "Darryn Peterson hits four 3s, scores 28 points in first NBA summer league game."
