Darryn Peterson Archives

Wizards strike gold in 2026 NBA Draft Lottery as loaded class awaits

Washington Wizards win draft lottery 2026

The Washington Wizards officially won the biggest prize of the NBA offseason.

During Sunday’s 2026 NBA Draft Lottery in Chicago, the Wizards secured the No. 1 overall pick after finishing the season tied for the league’s worst record at 18-64.

The result marks the first time under the current lottery system that the team with the NBA’s worst record successfully landed the top overall selection after seven straight failures.

Wizards headline surprising top four

The final top four featured several unexpected jumps.

The Utah Jazz landed the No. 2 overall pick despite entering with tied fourth-best odds. The Memphis Grizzlies jumped to No. 3, while the Chicago Bulls secured the fourth pick.

Meanwhile, the Indiana Pacers and Brooklyn Nets—both tied with Washington for the best odds entering the night—dropped to fifth and sixth.

For Indiana, the lottery outcome carried additional consequences. Because the Pacers failed to move into the top four, their first-round pick transfers to the Los Angeles Clippers as part of the Ivica Zubac trade completed earlier this season.

Wizards positioned to accelerate rebuild

Washington now sits in position to add a franchise-changing prospect to a roster that already underwent major transformation this season.

The Wizards aggressively reshaped the roster during the year by acquiring Trae Young and Anthony Davis, moves designed to accelerate the organization’s rebuild and return to contention.

“It’s our fans that have endured the most,” Wizards executive Michael Winger said. “And to me, this No. 1 pick is for them. It’s a reward for hanging in there with us. It’s a reward to continue to support us despite sometimes really bad basketball. They knew and they supported a multiyear teardown, a multiyear reinvention of the franchise.”

Loaded draft class draws massive attention

The 2026 class is widely viewed as one of the strongest in recent years.

AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson have emerged as the leading candidates for the No. 1 overall pick throughout the season.

Dybantsa averaged 25.5 points per game at BYU, becoming the first freshman to lead the nation in scoring since Trae Young in 2018. Peterson, meanwhile, averaged 20.2 points per game at Kansas despite missing significant time because of injuries.

The class also includes elite forward prospects such as Cameron Boozer and Caleb Wilson, along with a deep group of guards featuring Darius Acuff Jr., Kingston Flemings, Mikel Brown Jr., and Keaton Wagler.

NBA lottery changes looming

Sunday’s lottery may also mark the final year of the NBA’s current system.

The league is expected to vote later this month on major changes designed to reduce the effectiveness of tanking after multiple seasons saw teams aggressively positioning themselves for elite draft classes.

For now, though, the focus belongs to Washington.

The Wizards endured another difficult season, but they now control the top pick in a draft many around the league believe can reshape a franchise for the next decade.

Thanks for reading. Make sure to check out the latest episode of the OutOfSightSports YouTube series below for more coverage, analysis, and the latest updates across the sports world.

Darryn Peterson Availability Update: Bill Self Reveals Status vs. Iowa State on Saturday

2/13/26

oossports

The Kansas Jayhawks received encouraging news ahead of Saturday’s matchup vs. the Iowa State Cyclones.

Head coach Bill Self confirmed that star freshman Darryn Peterson is “good to go” for the noon CT showdown, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel. Peterson missed Kansas’ 82-78 victory over No. 1 Arizona on Monday due to illness. (source)

Peterson has appeared in 13 of Kansas’ 24 games this season, averaging a team-high 20.5 points, along with 4.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists per contest. He is shooting 48.9% from the field and 41.9% from three-point range.

Self Responds to Criticism

Peterson’s absence against Arizona sparked criticism from some fans, especially following his early exit in a Jan. 31 win over BYU due to cramps. He did not return to that contest, prompting questions about his availability.

Self directly addressed the narrative surrounding his freshman guard.

“I’m not a social media guy, but I have gotten on X and read some of the things and narratives that are out there about him, and it’s really not remotely true,” Self said. “The thing about it is, when you’re honest, people don’t believe you, and when you don’t comment on it, people create their own narratives.

“… The narrative is BS in many ways. I’m not sure. Load management, this kid hadn’t talked about that one time or anything. Load management, geez, that’s when you play four games in seven days. That’s not when you play one half a week or anything like that. So those aren’t true. … He’s really sick.”

Kansas Built Momentum Without Him

Even without Peterson on Monday, Kansas delivered one of its most complete performances of the season. The Jayhawks secured Arizona’s first loss by controlling the game at the free-throw line, converting 21 of 25 attempts.

Forward Flory Bidunga led the way with 23 points and 10 rebounds.

Still, Peterson’s offensive presence adds another dimension against an Iowa State defense that allows just 64.9 points per game — the 15th-best mark nationally.

With Self confirming his availability, Kansas enters the rematch at full strength and looking to extend its recent surge. The contest tips at noon CT and will air on ABC.

Darryn Peterson Comes Through Late as Kansas Outlasts Texas Tech

oossports

The Kansas Jayhawks needed poise, confidence, and a shot-maker in the final minutes Monday night vs.. Freshman guard Darryn Peterson delivered all three. Peterson buried two contested three-pointers in the final 80 seconds to lift No. 11 Kansas to a 64–61 road win over No. 13 Texas Tech Red Raiders, sealing the Jayhawks’ sixth straight victory and reinforcing why he is viewed as one of the most dangerous closers in college basketball.

Freshman Star Finishes What He Started

For Peterson, the moment carried added significance. After multiple games cut short by injury or cramps earlier this season, Monday marked the first time he fully finished a tight contest.

Playing a season-high 35 minutes, Peterson scored 19 points despite struggling for much of the night. Before the final surge, he shot just 3-of-12 from the field against Texas Tech’s physical defense.

None of that mattered late.

With 1:20 remaining, Peterson drilled a contested corner three to tie the game. Forty-six seconds later, he rose from the left wing and buried another triple — the decisive shot in a tense Big 12 battle.

Resilience Through Adversity

Peterson’s season has been anything but smooth. The 6-foot-5 guard missed time earlier with ankle, hamstring, and calf issues and has sat out 10 games overall. Just two games earlier, he was sidelined late due to cramping after an explosive first half against BYU.

Yet when Kansas needed composure most, Peterson responded.

Now averaging 21.1 points per game, the projected top NBA Draft pick showcased not just scoring ability, but maturity beyond his age.

Bill Self Praises Peterson’s Clutch Gene

Kansas head coach Bill Self had little hesitation praising his freshman’s late-game instincts.

Peterson’s tying shot came over JT Toppin, and after a defensive stop, he followed with the game-winner. On the other end, Kansas freshman Flory Bidunga erased Texas Tech’s answer with a critical block.

Those moments swung the outcome — and highlighted Peterson’s unique presence under pressure.

Confidence Built on Preparation

Peterson credited preparation and trust, not luck, for the closing heroics.

Despite acknowledging an off shooting night, he leaned on his routine, teammates, and coaching staff. When asked to make a play, he did exactly that.

Kansas improved to 17–5 overall and 7–2 in Big 12 play, while Texas Tech fell to 16–6 and 6–3.

Final Takeaway

Darryn Peterson did not dominate wire to wire — and that may be the most telling part. In a game defined by adversity, fatigue, and missed shots, Kansas’ freshman star showed why closers are defined by moments, not percentages.

When the game demanded belief, Peterson supplied it — and Kansas walked out of Lubbock with another statement win.

Tag: Darryn Peterson