Darryn Peterson’s first months as an NBA player have come with a new contract, a new shoe deal and, after one ugly setback, a new ride.
The former Kansas guard has been rolling in a matte-black Range Rover luxury SUV for the past several weeks after a car he owned during the pre-draft process was stolen from the driveway of the Airbnb where he was staying. Peterson discussed the theft on ESPN’s Chiney Today podcast with Chiney Ogwumike, though he did not identify the city where it happened or say what kind of vehicle was taken.
“After I got took, I was like, ‘I’m about to just get something else.’ (It’s) in the garage now - every day,’” Peterson said.
At 19, Peterson can afford the upgrade. The No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft signed a four-year, $61.8 million contract with Utah shortly after the June 23 draft, and published reports said he also earned about $3 million for his lone college season. He has also reportedly signed a shoe deal with Adidas that has been described as one of the top five ever for a rookie.
Peterson has been working out ahead of preseason camp, and his summer-league numbers showed why Utah is so excited. In five games between Salt Lake City and Las Vegas, he averaged 23.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.2 blocks.
He said he wanted to go No. 1 in the draft before AJ Dybantsa went to Washington, but he’s embracing where he landed.
“It’s kind of like a dream come true,” he told ESPN. “I know it’s going to be a lot, but I think I’m prepared for it. I’m trying to be.”
Peterson also said he already feels comfortable with parts of Utah’s roster. He pointed to Keyonte George and Jaren Jackson as players he knew before arriving, and he noted the group’s youth as a reason he expects the team to mesh.
“I’ve known Keyonte (George, fourth-year guard) for a while,” Peterson said. “He tried to get me to go to IMG (Academy) a couple years back. Jaren (Jackson, ninth-year forward) I knew, so I knew a couple of guys already, and it’s a young team, so I think we’re going to play pretty well.”
His personal goals are straightforward, and he didn’t hide the biggest one.
Peterson said he wants “playoffs, rookie of the year, probably like first-team all-rookie, but mainly playoffs. The main focus right now is trying to make the playoffs.”
As for the kind of player he wants to become, Peterson kept it simple: “a three-level scorer, winner. I’m going to try to have my team win, whatever that takes, and probably (be known) just as a competitor.”
Peterson averaged 20.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 2025-26 at KU. His NBA debut is set for Wednesday, Oct. 21, against the Grizzlies at the FedEx Forum in Memphis, and his first home game will come Friday, Oct. 23, against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Utah opens preseason on Oct. 4 against Denver and former KU wing Christian Braun at the CU Events Center in Boulder, Colorado.
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