Kansas' Darryn Peterson is the projected No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. While it's not a foregone conclusion like a Victor Wembanyama or Cooper Flagg, Peterson has separated himself as the No. 1 prospect in the eyes of many draft analysts. Duke's Cam Boozer or BYU's A.J. Dybantsa could feasibly challenge Peterson for the No. 1 pick. However, for now, Peterson seems to be the most likely No. 1 pick.
Looking at the 6-foot-5 shooting guard's game, he has clear similarities to Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards. Both players have similar frames and are explosive athletes with a knack for scoring. It's also worth noting that Edwards was the No. 1 pick in 2020, but LaMelo Ball and James Wiseman weren't far behind him in the eyes of many.
The similarities between Ant and Peterson
The first thing that jumps out in terms of similarities between Peterson and Edwards is their explosive athleticism and ability to attack the rim. While Peterson isn't as powerful an athlete as Ant, he has the explosiveness down, and as he fills out his frame, he could be more powerful. Just as importantly, Peterson is a prolific shot creator who can score at multiple levels and routinely makes difficult shots. This made Edwards the No. 1 pick coming out of Georgia, and we could see something similar with Peterson.
Notably, Peterson averaged 29.1 points in high school. Of course, high school numbers should be taken with a grain of salt, but that's an absurd number. While athleticism creates highlights and general excitement, the shot creation aspect of Edwards' game is what makes him a true star. Likewise, this is what makes Peterson a truly special prospect. If Peterson can show flashes of becoming the elite shooter that Edwards is, his path to being a clear No. 1 pick will be clear.
Outside of their similarities as scorers, Peterson, like Edwards, is a gifted on-ball defender who can especially contain opposing perimeter players. Peterson could be a legit two-way monster. However, he must stay engaged off-ball to maximize his defensive impact. Sounds familiar, doesn't it?
Playmaking is Peterson's main weakness in most people's eyes, and he'll likely always be more of an off-guard star. Peterson notably averaged 3.1 turnovers in high school, something he'll look to cut back at Kansas. As Edwards aims to take another leap, playmaking is the most notable area of improvement for him.
Ultimately, the similarities between Edwards and Peterson are clear. While it's too early to call him the next Edwards, Peterson certainly has the potential to be that. It will be interesting to watch how this ultra-talented 18-year-old develops at Kansas.