The 2026 NBA Draft is just days away, and there is still uncertainty surrounding how the top three picks will unfold. Amid the discussion, former NBA champion-turned-ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins says he believes Darryn Peterson is the true No. 1 prospect in this year’s class.
Why Kendrick Perkins Considers Darryn Peterson the 2026 NBA Draft’s Best Prospect
Perkins sang high praise for the 19-year-old Kansas star, and rightfully so. In 24 games for the Jayhawks, the freshman guard averaged 20.2 points, 4.21 rebounds, and 1.42 steals while shooting 43.8% from the field and 38.2% from 3-point range.
“Darryn Peterson is, to me, the best prospect in this draft class,” Perkins said. “He has zero flaws offensively. … His ceiling, if he reaches it, is Kobe Bryant. That’s how talented this young man is.”
“His ceiling, if he reaches it, is Kobe Bryant. … When he steps foot into the NBA, he’s going to thrive from the start. … He’s that gifted. … His body is NBA-ready right now.”@KendrickPerkins thinks Darryn Peterson is the best draft prospect 👀 pic.twitter.com/Pzad6g7dJ7
— First Take (@FirstTake) June 19, 2026
“When he steps foot into the NBA, he’s going to thrive from the start,” he continued. “He’s going to be a guy that’s going to average 20-plus points because he’s that gifted. He’s that talented. His body is NBA-ready right now.”
One of his best and most efficient performances came in a midseason contest against fellow top prospect and BYU forward AJ Dybantsa.
Peterson converted 6-of-8 field-goal attempts, 3-of-5 from 3-point range, and 3-of-4 from the free-throw line, finishing with 18 points and arguably the most memorable dunk of the college basketball season.
Unfortunately, the game’s main storyline wasn’t centered on Peterson outplaying Dybantsa (17 points, 2 turnovers). The focus instead shifted to Peterson’s lingering hamstring injury, which kept him out of the final 16 minutes of action along with several other games during the college season.
Truly, the only knock on Peterson has been his ability to stay on the floor, and his rumored attitude concerns toward the game of basketball. He played in 24 of a possible 35 games and, on a clear minute restriction all season, averaged just 29.0 minutes per game, compared to AJ Dybantsa (34.8) and Cameron Boozer (33.5).
However, Perkins is clearly able to look past it and focus on Peterson’s true talent. It is not every day a draft prospect is compared to a five-time NBA champion, all-time great scorer, and first-ballot Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant.
As it stands, the Washington Wizards hold the No. 1 selection in the draft, followed by the Utah Jazz at No. 2 and the Memphis Grizzlies at No. 3. Peterson, who is reportedly set to work out only for the Wizards after canceling his session with the Jazz, has his eyes set on the No. 1 pick.
Time will tell where the Kansas star ends up, but if Perkins’ assessment is correct, whoever lands Peterson on draft night will be receiving an NBA-ready player with Kobe Bryant-level upside.
