Darryn Peterson is such an obvious superstar.
As the Utah Jazz lined up a Salt Lake City matchup with the Memphis Grizzlies, Utah’s number-two draft pick, Darryn Peterson, and the Grizzlies number-three selection, Cameron Boozer, squared off for the first time since draft night. Carlos Boozer, Cam’s father and a scout for the Utah Jazz, warned teams would regret passing on his son, and this matchup marks an opportunity to make an early statement.
The pair of class foes wasted no time making their presence known in this battle, with Peterson Christening the scoreboard with a feathery floater on one end, and Boozer draining a top-of-the-key deposit for three at the opposite end.
Then Peterson got that look in his eye as he knocked through two free throws, a drifting turnaround three-pointer, and a graceful finger-roll lay-in over Boozer in succession — taking a break only to dish out for back-to-back Blake Hinson three-pointers. Peterson was so dangerous that the Grizzlies matched him up against Cedric Coward. In response, he would instigate a switch onto Boozer, whose footspeed simply couldn’t match that of the number-two selection, and he’d be forced to foul.
Peterson comfortably navigated the Grizzlies hyper-aggressive full-court press and revealed remarkable playmaking feel considering the fact that a lack of assists as a freshman was one of the drawbacks on his draft profile.
Peterson’s style of play is so potent, yet gentle. Immense, yet effortless. Every motion, every action, every shot is so smooth, it’s as if the wind learned how to play basketball. DP is the intersection of basketball and art, and I question if I’ll ever become fully accustomed to how Utah’s budding star plays the game.
Like water, he flows
Resistance is most futile
A snap of nylon
— “The Effortless Conqueror”, a haiku by Calvin Barrett, circa 2026
Needless to say, I feel rather satisfied about the Jazz’s first-round pick, and we’re just two games into Summer League. I’ll wrestle with myself to keep expectations low within the Summer League bubble. After all, we haven’t even seen what Peterson looks like against real NBA competition.
But I know I’m not alone in my elation. Peterson isn’t like the other prospects the Jazz have brought in over the years — his talent is so much more obvious than that of hidden gems Keyonte George, Brice Sensabaugh, Cody Williams, or Ace Bailey. I’m not accustomed to seeing players like him suiting up for the Jazz; Donovan Mitchell is the only name that compares in recent years, and he was the 13th overall pick.
Boozer’s impact was much more understated, as his court vision and rebounding were the highlights of his half. A different style of player than Peterson, Boozer’s first half won’t be posted on many highlight reels, but he’s helping his team win by doing his damage in the margins.
Boozer finished the half with 5 points, 3 assists, 3 rebounds, and 1 steal on 2-4 shooting splits.
Darryn posted a first-half stat line of 13 points, 7 assists (!!!), 1 board, and 2 steals on 3-of-6 shooting splits.
Peterson and Boozer continue their battle in the second half on ESPN and SEG+.
Calvin Barrett is the Associate Editor for SLC Dunk. Originally from Springville, Utah, he currently lives in Japan and has covered the NBA and college athletics since 2024.
