AJ Dybantsa outplayed Darryn Peterson in messy Summer League matchup

Dybantsa wasn't as flashy, but was highly effective. He drew fouls, both skillfully drawing contact and snapping his head dramatically like an NBA veteran. He missed all five of his three-pointers, but Dybantsa's ability to get into the paint makes his outside shot less relevant.

For two players joining the NBA as teenagers, their jump shots are likely to improve. In the opener, Dybantsa shot 7-of-18 and Peterson was 6-of-18, but they were able to consistently get open and draw fouls, though Peterson wasn't shy to commit them as well.

Top pick matchup marred by fouls

Summer League games are eight minutes shorter than the NBA's normal 48-minute contests. That didn't stop Peterson or his primary defender Watkins from racking up nine fouls each in the game. The two teams combined for 60 fouls, a rate of 1.5 fouls per minute. Thankfully, the NBA is trying out a new rule where players shoot one foul shot for the full value of the shot, so the game didn't drag on interminably.

Dybantsa finished with 27 points and Peterson had 24, but the grabbing and fouling robbed viewers of some highlight plays. There were still moments, like Dybantsa's dunks and Peterson's impressive-but-meaningless banked three at the final buzzer.

The talent of the top picks was apparent throughout the game. Last year's No. 6 Tre Johnson scored 18 points in the first half (with zero assists) in an effort to show he was still a dynamic scorer after a slow rookie season. Washington's Will Riley, a 2025 first-rounder, impressed with his driving ability.

But Utah's Cody Williams, a 2024 lottery pick, struggled in his third Summer League. He had 16 points and four steals, but as a two-year NBA veteran, getting outclassed by teenagers at Summer League is a bad sign for his NBA future.

The Jazz's future still appears to depend on Peterson. Thursday showed that's true for the Wizards and Dybantsa as well.