Dru Joyce coached LeBron James at St. Vincent St. Mary High School in Akron, Ohio, from 1999-2003. If anyone knows and has seen greatness at the high school level up close, it would be Joyce. And it seems as though Joyce may think there’s yet another dominant player coming out of Ohio in the form of Darryn Peterson.
Dru Joyce Says Darryn Peterson Is ‘the Best Since LeBron’
Peterson is a consensus five-star prospect from Canton, Ohio, who plays for Prolific Prep and is committed to the Kansas Jayhawks. After Peterson’s team beat St. Vincent St. Mary, Dru Joyce had some interesting comments about Peterson.
Prolific Prep beat St. Vicent St. Mary 70-46, and Peterson finished with 23 points, nine rebounds, five assists, three blocks, and three steals. After the game, Joyce told reporters, “He’s the best since LeBron.”
While this is incredibly high praise for a kid who hasn’t played a single minute of college basketball yet, it may be well deserved. Peterson is the No. 2 player in the nation in the 2025 class, according to ESPN.
Peterson has been heavily recruited throughout his high school career, landing offers from 25 different D1 programs before committing to Kansas.
According to the Akron Beacon Journal, Peterson has averaged 33 points, six rebounds, seven assists, and three steals during his final season of high school.
After a breakout season at Huntington High School in West Virginia, Peterson transferred to Prolific Prep in California. The Ohio native hit 1,000 career points in just his sophomore year and now is up over 2,000.
Peterson stands at 6’5″ and plays shooting guard. He is a two-way superstar who is almost better on the defensive side of the ball than he is on offense.
Joyce has seen a lot of talent during his time coaching at St. Vincent St. Mary.
“I’ve seen a whole lot of them. I had a couple that have gone on and played in the league, too, like Malaki. Malaki is great, but Darryn is the best that I’ve seen since LeBron,” the coach shared.
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Peterson went from an unknown hooper in West Virginia to getting compared to a man who many think is the greatest of all time. The now five-star is pleased with his newfound fame.
“I’m used to not being known. I wasn’t ever known. It’s a blessing to me now that I get a little recognition. I love all (my fans), for sure,” he said after the St. Vincent St. Mary’s game.
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