The Utah Jazz selected Darryn Peterson as the No. 2 overall pick in the NBA Draft, signaling expectations for a franchise cornerstone. Peterson approached his first NBA training camp by asking veterans and coaches what they needed from him.
"I'm new here, so I've been asking a ton of questions to all of the vets and coaches," Peterson said. "I'm trying to bring something to the team, whatever that can be; that's something I'm asking a lot of the guys. I'm willing to do whatever to help the team be better."
Peterson averaged 20.2 points per game at Kansas and shot 38.2 percent from beyond the arc. In Summer League, he averaged 23 points across five appearances, including a 25-point, 12-assist game with three three-pointers. At Kansas, he also averaged 4.2 rebounds per game.
During the offseason, Peterson remained in Salt Lake City, focusing on his body and shooting while adjusting to the physical demands of the NBA.
Will Hardy, the Jazz's coach, said Peterson has been "incredibly professional for where he is in his career" and noted his ability to be a "pretty fast learner."
Peterson has experienced players to learn from within the Jazz organization, including All-Stars Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. and third-year guard Keyonte George, who recently signed a five-year contract extension.
Peterson's rookie season will demand diverse contributions beyond scoring. Some nights, the Jazz will need him to score; others may require him to pass up a shot, defend without fouling, or allow another player to control the game.
Peterson defines success as winning games and making an impact every night, without fixating on how that impact must manifest.
