NBA Summer League offers fans their first chance to watch this year’s draft picks against NBA competition, and Utah Jazz rookie Darryn Peterson has made the most of the opportunity thus far. After he dominated in his first two outings, he paid tribute to the game and mindset of late Los Angeles Lakers icon Kobe Bryant.
Darryn Peterson Pays Tribute to Kobe Bryant With NBA Summer League Dominance
The No. 2 overall pick (Peterson) and No. 3 overall pick (Cameron Boozer) squared off when the Jazz faced the Memphis Grizzlies in the Salt Lake City Summer League. Utah came away with a 109-100 win, and Peterson was one of the biggest reasons why.
The rookie guard finished with 25 points, 12 assists, and 2 steals while shooting 53% from the field. He also knocked down 3-of-9 attempts from beyond the arc. This comes after he dropped 28 points in his Summer League debut against the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday.
These back-to-back performances turned heads, with many praising Peterson’s game and arguing he may have the highest upside in the 2026 draft class. Peterson has drawn comparisons to Bryant, and he has openly embraced those similarities.
“I’m a Kobe guy,” Peterson said after Monday’s game. “Anytime I can assert dominance, I try to, so at the end of the games, I try to kill.”
There are many extremely skilled players around the world, but Bryant’s work ethic is always what separated him from his peers. Peterson understands that and is trying to embrace the Mamba Mentality.
“The mentality, not just the skill and the scoring and the hall of famer that we see, but I just love his mentality. I got it tattooed and stuff,” Peterson added, alluding to his tattoo of Bryant’s face on his shoulder alongside the word “MENTALITY.”
“I just love his mentality.”@Darryn_P1 on his idol, Kobe Bryant 🐍 pic.twitter.com/ayznyaHzB1
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) July 7, 2026
That mentality was already evident on draft night, as Peterson made it clear that his celebration would be short-lived because his focus had already shifted to preparing for the NBA.
“The celebration stops tonight,” Peterson said at his post-draft press conference. “I got drafted today, but tomorrow, I’m now an NBA player. I’m going to get home and work out until I have to report to Utah. Like I said, ball is first. So I’m a grinder. Kobe is my guy, and I’m inspired by him. So I just try to think, what would Kobe do right now? He’d get drafted and move on and try to go be the best possible, so that’s what I’m going to go do.”
Peterson also wants to follow in Bryant’s footsteps by making an impact on both ends of the floor. He has expressed a desire to be an elite lockdown defender rather than rely solely on his offensive talent.
Peterson’s freshman year with the Kansas Jayhawks was interrupted by hamstring and ankle injuries, limiting him to 24 games. However, he averaged 20.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.4 steals per game while shooting 38.2% from three-point range.
If he can stay healthy and realize his full potential, Peterson could develop into a superstar in Utah.
