Darryn Peterson quiets critics in monster Summer League debut

Peterson was aggressive early, using a pick-and-roll on Utah's first possession to drive past 6-foot-11 forward Asa Newell for a layup off the glass.

Later in the first half, he pushed the ball quickly into the front court off a Hawks miss and drew contact and a foul while making the off-balance basket, finishing the first half with 10 points.

Peterson was even better after halftime, draining a step-back three off the dribble early in the third quarter, then racing down the floor on a one-man fast break for a dunk off an Ace Bailey deflection in the closing minutes of the quarter.

The 2025-26 All-Big 12 second-team selection continued to show off his range late, drilling two threes in the fourth quarter and overtime, the latter giving the Jazz a 98-95 advantage.

According to ESPN Insights, Peterson's 28 points are the most by a top-two pick in his summer league debut over the past 10 seasons and third-most regardless of game number.

The phenomenal debut carries more weight than most in the summer league after Peterson's start-and-stop 2025-26 season at Kansas. He missed 11 games due to multiple ailments, including hamstring and ankle injuries, cramps and illness. Peterson also pulled himself after 18 minutes in a February game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys, a move coach Bill Self described as "disappointing" afterward.

His impressive performance in what was ultimately an inconsequential (as far as results are concerned) summer league contest shows that worries over his "love of the game" were far overblown. For Peterson, talent was never the issue. After Saturday, his effort isn't, either.