As the madness of the NCAA Tournament continues to entertain fans, others are already eyeing their picks for the 2026 NBA Draft. Unlike most years, this season's debate over who will become the No. 1 overall pick is far more competitive. And Darryn Peterson is among the most discussed prospects.
While Peterson has been under scrutiny following self-substitution incident with head coach Bill Self, the 19-year-old has remained a key player for the Kansas Jayhawks. However, he couldn't do much as Kansas suffered a second-round exit in March Madness. The defeat may have been disappointing for Peterson, but he soon received further criticism from a veteran voice in college basketball.
Seth Greenberg, a senior analyst at ESPN and a former Division I head coach, acknowledged Peterson's immense talent but made it clear he would not select the guard with the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft. Greenberg expected the 6-foot-6 guard to take over the game against St. John's, similar to Arizona's Darius Acuff Jr., who delivered a 36-point performance against High Point.
Greenberg said, "He's an incredible talent, he's an incredible prospect. Having said that, in that game, on that stage, against that team (St. John's), I wanted him to go all Darius Acuff Jr." He then added that while Peterson is a "ridiculous shot-maker," he has concerns about the guard's work ethic and ability to consistently create space for himself.
"That's why I would not take him No. 1," Greenberg said, before still labeling the Kansas guard a "special talent." While Peterson's scoring instincts have drawn widespread attention from scouts and fans, Greenberg's critique suggests there are still areas the young guard must refine.
With AJ Dybantsa also exiting the NCAA Tournament, the debate over the No. 1 overall pick remains far from settled. Both Peterson and Dybantsa have yet to declare for the 2026 NBA Draft.
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