Darryn Peterson, projected as a top pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, is planning to hold a pre-draft meeting solely with the Washington Wizards, according to a report Saturday. The Kansas freshman averaged 20.2 points per game this season, the highest ever for a Jayhawks freshman, though he missed 11 games due to an undisclosed injury.
Peterson's decision to limit his meeting schedule to one team is a rare strategic move that could pressure the Wizards to select him. Washington currently holds the best lottery odds after finishing with the league's worst record, positioning them to land the number one overall pick.
The move also reflects growing player agency in the draft process, with prospects increasingly leveraging their marketability and college performance to influence team decisions. The Wizards, in the midst of a rebuild under new front office leadership, would gain a high-scoring guard who has drawn comparisons to NBA All-Stars.
No public polling data is available on fan reaction, but Peterson's college coach at Kansas has not commented on the report. The Wizards have not confirmed whether they will honor his request for a solo meeting.
Counterargument: Some scouts caution that Peterson's 11-game absence with an unverified injury and his limited sample size—one college season—raise durability and consistency questions that a broader interview process might have addressed.