What happened: Darryn Peterson was selected No. 2 overall in the 2026 NBA Draft, cementing his place near the top of one of the most talked-about draft classes in recent years. The Kansas product had been pegged as a potential top pick throughout the pre-draft process and came off the board second.

Why it matters: A top-two selection carries immediate expectations: Peterson is expected to slot in as a foundational piece and a long-term building block. Going No. 2 also makes him the highest University of Kansas player drafted since Andrew Wiggins went first overall in 2014, a marker of how scouts viewed his ceiling.

What to watch: Attention now turns to Summer League and the upcoming 2026-27 season, where Peterson will get his first run against pro competition and begin proving out the No. 2 billing.