Determining how well a player will perform in the NBA is a near-impossible task, but former NBA guard Kyle Collinsworth strongly believes that rookie Darryn Peterson has all the tools to become a player like Kyrie Irving.
Peterson, who was selected second overall, made his debut for the Utah Jazz on Saturday night in the NBA Summer League and flashed the brilliance of what’s to come in Salt Lake City this season.
He played with poise well beyond his years, finishing with a game-high 28 points on an efficient 11-of-21 shooting. He also went 4-of-7 from 3-point range while adding five rebounds, two assists and two blocks in 27 minutes.
After the game, former NBA guard and NCAA triple-double record holder Kyle Collinsworth had high praise for the No. 2 overall pick.
“The reality with Darryn Peterson is he didn’t belong in college. His skillset was too high. Had some injuries and it put him in a tough spot because he is a $60+ million asset if he didn’t play another college game. DP is the real deal.”
Collinsworth then compared Peterson to Kyrie Irving.
“The last player like this was Kyrie Irving. His skillset was too high for college too.”
He followed that up with a bold prediction.
“Darryn Peterson is going to average 28 PPG while still on his rookie deal. His skillset is off the charts for a 19-year-old.”
If that prediction comes true, Peterson would join extremely rare company. The last player to average at least 28 points per game while still on a rookie contract was Michael Jordan. Other stars like LeBron James (26.7 PPG) and Luka Doncic (25.7 PPG) came close but never reached that mark.
It’s far too early to put Peterson in the same conversation as Irving or Jordan based on one Summer League game. Still, Collinsworth’s comments show just how highly he views the young guard’s talent. If Peterson continues building on his impressive debut, he’ll be one of the rookies to watch this season.
Darryn Peterson has the potential to alter the trajectory of the Utah Jazz’s future
Darryn Peterson possesses the vision and playmaking ability that give him one of the highest offensive ceilings in this rookie class. In the right environment, he has the potential to develop into a perennial 28-point-per-game guard with the ability to control the pace of the game, much like Kyrie Irving.
The body of work Peterson has put together so far in his young career suggests he has an incredibly high floor. However, if he can become even half as good as Irving was at his peak, he would be a huge asset for a Utah Jazz franchise that is still trying to climb out of the bottom of the standings.
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