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The verdict: After entering the fall projected at No. 1, Darryn Peterson struggled to stay healthy and played through a strange season after a battle with cramping. However, NBA teams haven't appeared concerned with his long-term health. His best moments, while further between than he and Kansas hoped, underscored why NBA teams still view him as a future star who executives liken stylistically to Devin Booker. Peterson can be one of the best guards in the league, and after gaining a better understanding of the context, he reclaims the top spot on my board.
The Jazz have had Dybantsa and Boozer for private workouts, according to league sources. Peterson canceled his workout this week amid reports that he believes he will be the No. 1 pick, and he hopes the Wizards select him. The Jazz, according to league sources, weren’t surprised by Peterson’s canceled workout. They anticipated it, on some levels. They also won’t hesitate to select Peterson if they determine the former Kansas star guard is the best player on the board when they pick.
Shams Charania: Developments ahead of the June 23-24 NBA draft: BYU's AJ Dybantsa has conducted formal visits with both the Washington Wizards (No. 1) and Utah Jazz (No. 2) while Kansas' Darryn Peterson only visited the Wizards and does not plan to grant anyone else a meeting, sources tell me and @JeremyWoo . Both have believed in going No. 1 -- and now teams in the lottery are taking note of Peterson's decision to only give access to Washington.
Sources say Peterson's medicals have not raised major concerns with teams, clearing the way for him to hear his name called as a top-two pick. He began the season as ESPN's No. 1 prospect and is the most gifted offensive player in the class. While the season didn't go according to plan at Kansas, where he dealt with serious cramping issues, he has always been viewed by teams as a strong candidate for the pick.
Sean Cunningham: Kings announce pre-draft workout for Monday in Sacramento with: #1 Quadir Copeland (North Carolina State), G/F; #2 Melvin Council (Kansas), G; #3 Tre White (Kansas), G; #4 Nick Martinelli (Northwestern), F; #5 Keshawn Murphy (Auburn), F; #6 Caden Powell (Baylor)
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Tyran Stokes, the No. 1 senior in the country and the consensus favorite to be the No. 1 pick in the 2027 NBA draft, will play for Kansas next season, he announced Tuesday. Stokes chose the Jayhawks over Kentucky, announcing his decision on ESPN's "NBA Tip-Off" before the start of Tuesday's playoff games. He is ranked No. 1 on ESPN's 2026 SC Next 100.
Kansas sophomore Flory Bidunga intends to declare for the NBA draft while maintaining his college eligibility, sources told ESPN on Thursday. Bidunga also intends to enter the NCAA transfer portal, sources said, as he's keeping open the option to return to college.
Kole Emplit: Darryn Peterson with a message for the critics: "I love Kansas, I love everything about being here and my team." Melvin Council slowly chants 'one more year' DP: "Maybe one more year. I might run it back." #kubball
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: Being a Kansas native and a former Jayhawk, who are some of your favorite players to ever come through the Lawrence program? Gradey Dick: First, I’ve gotta say Wayne Simien Jr. When I was little, he was the first Kansas player I ever really talked to. Then, of course, Conner Frankamp. He was only at KU for a bit, but he’s another Wichita guy, so I still work out with him when I’m back home. And probably after that, Andrew Wiggins.
Coming out of high school in Kansas, the 6-foot-7, three-star recruit Spencer Jones was hoping basketball would help him land at a reputable college, not the NBA. It worked out perfectly when he committed to Stanford in 2019. “I was not planning on making it big,” Jones tells Front Office Sports. “The goal was just to use basketball to get into a place like [Stanford]. Everything else kind of felt like a bonus.” It was only after his sophomore season in 2020–21 that the NBA became a realistic option. But he was expected to be a second-round pick at best, so he believed a Stanford degree should take priority. “Spencer has always liked basketball, but he never was one of those guys that said, ‘My dream was playing in the NBA,’” Dwayne Jones, Spencer’s father, tells FOS.
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Cameron Boozer showed the limelight of the Garden wasn’t too bright for him, leading Duke to a 78-66 win over Kansas in the Champions Classic. And while he didn’t face injured Darryn Peterson — one of his two main rivals to be drafted first overall — Boozer showed more than enough Tuesday to impress the entire NBA. There were 67 reps from 23 of the league’s 30 teams watching Boozer. the son of former NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer. They saw the freshman forward shake off a slow start to finish with 18 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, a plus-10 in the most comfortable he’s been in college. “Yeah, for sure. Obviously I’ve had to get used to playing college basketball because last year I was in high school. This is a completely different game. It’s faster. It’s obviously more physical,” said Boozer, just 18. “Obviously it was a big matchup. But I like to rise to the occasion, so I felt like I was very comfortable.”
More than 60 NBA personnel from all 30 NBA teams have already been credentialed for the Champions Classic on Tuesday at Madison Square Garden, a source close to the event told ZAGSBLOG. No. 9 Kentucky faces No. 17 Michigan State at 6:30 p.m. ET, followed by No. 4 Duke against No. 25 Kansas at 9 (ESPN).
Shams Charania: Kansas' 7-footer Hunter Dickinson has agreed to a two-way NBA deal with the New Orleans Pelicans, sources tell ESPN.
Who’s the most Jordan-like guy in the league right now? Kenny Smith: Zero. Not Anthony Edwards? KS: Ant is a very good, talented player. But, O.K.: are you into music? Yes. KS: Is there anyone who has touched the fibre of music the way Michael Jackson has? Prince? KS: No, I’m talking about today. It’s not even close. Michael Jordan touched the fibre of basketball that no one will ever touch today. Larry Bird touched the fibre of basketball that no one’s touching today. Maybe LeBron. LeBron is touching the Larry Bird–Magic Johnson fibre. He’s not touching the Jordan fibre.