NBA executives identify Kansas’ Peterson and BYU’s Dybantsa as leading candidates for the upcoming draft.
Kansas shooting guard Darryn Peterson and BYU forward AJ Dybantsa are anticipated to be the top two selections in the forthcoming NBA draft. They represent the elite of what is expected to be one of the most remarkable NBA drafts, especially within the Top 10, in recent history.
Who will secure the No. 1 position? ESPN surveyed 20 NBA scouts and executives to gauge early sentiments, and the findings suggest that a vigorous discussion will continue until the Draft in June.
Peterson garnered 12 votes while Dybantsa received 8 for the leading position. With No. 13 BYU set to face No. 14 Kansas on Saturday (4:30 p.m., ESPN), this will be the first collegiate encounter between the two standout players.
“For me, it’s Darryn Peterson,” a seasoned scout remarked to ESPN. “He makes everything appear so effortless, it’s astonishing. His shooting ability is unparalleled. He’s the closest resemblance to Kobe Bryant I’ve witnessed since Kobe in terms of shot-making and creating his own opportunities. While he may not possess Kobe’s athleticism, no one does. He is truly exceptional.”
Many of the scouts and executives surveyed indicated that the decision was not straightforward.
“It’s incredibly close,” a veteran NBA executive shared with ESPN. “I’d say 51% to 49%, just narrowly. I feel there’s slightly more potential with AJ Dybantsa as a player who enhances the performance of others. However, if you contact me on March 1, I might tell you I’ve changed my perspective.”
The NBA is converging on Lawrence, Kan., this weekend to gather further insights to reach a conclusion.
At least 32 personnel from NBA front offices representing 17 different teams will be present at the game, including seven general managers and decision-makers. (Atlanta Hawks owner Tony Ressler is also expected to attend.)
Some franchises are dispatching multiple scouts and executives, including a majority of the front office staff from both the Hawks (5 attendees) and Indiana Pacers (6 attendees). The Brooklyn Nets and Washington Wizards are each sending three representatives.
Numerous NBA sources informed ESPN that they are keen to observe Peterson’s performance after he missed a game against Kansas State last Saturday due to an ankle sprain. (Kansas coach Bill Self has indicated that he expects Peterson to participate, and the injury is not deemed long-term.)
Peterson has been sidelined for nine games over two separate periods earlier in the season due to a hamstring issue. With the ankle injury causing him to miss a game, he has now missed half of Kansas’ games this season. He has also been dealing with cramping issues.
“I dislike the uncertainty of playing and not playing,” stated one scout, who selected Peterson as his top choice. “However, he is a scoring threat. He is exceptionally strong offensively.”
Dybantsa stands at 6-foot-9 and weighs 210 pounds, while Peterson is 6-foot-6 and 205 pounds. It remains uncertain if they will frequently match up directly during Saturday’s game, but they will undoubtedly be compared and discussed in the months ahead.
The essence of the debate between the two players centers on Peterson’s unique offensive potential versus Dybantsa’s greater athleticism and two-way capabilities. Several scouts and executives mentioned including both Duke’s Cam Boozer and North Carolina’s Caleb Wilson in the discussion regarding the top pick, but none selected those players as their preferred choice for No. 1.
One scout encapsulated his choice of Dybantsa by stating: “He is the only one with a chance to excel on both ends.”
Another summarized his selection of Peterson by saying: “I believe he can be a championship-caliber shot creator in the NBA.”
Peterson is averaging 21.6 points per game in just 27.2 minutes of play. He is also contributing 4.6 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game, shooting an impressive 42% from beyond the arc.
Dybantsa is averaging 23.6 points per game, along with 6.7 rebounds and 3.6 assists. He has participated in all 20 of BYU’s games and is shooting 31.8% from three-point range.
There is no dispute regarding the talent at the top of this draft, as college basketball is experiencing a freshman renaissance this year. This draft is not only elite at the top but also deep, featuring freshman stars such as Houston’s Kingston Flemings, Louisville’s Mikel Brown Jr., Tennessee’s Nate Ament, Arkansas’ Darius Acuff Jr., Arizona’s Koa Peat, UConn’s Braylon Mullins, Houston’s Chris Cenac Jr., and Illinois’ Keaton Wagler, providing the sport with a surge of youthful talent.
“This draft is exceptionally deep with high-caliber talent,” remarked a veteran scout. “It will historically be recognized as one of the better drafts in the last two decades.”
