KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Big 12 could boast of having the first two picks of the next NBA draft, but both Darryn Peterson, guard for Kansas, and AJ Dybantsa, forward for BYU, assure that the NBA is not their priority at the moment. During Big 12 media day, Peterson, a five-star recruit and 6-foot-6-inch guard projected to be the No. 1 pick in the NBA mock draft, stated that he is focused on helping the Jayhawks win this season, setting aside speculation about his future. “I handle it without paying attention,” Peterson said. “I’m just going to go out and play to win games.” Peterson was named Big 12 Preseason Freshman of the Year and was unanimously selected for the preseason All-Big 12 first team. Dybantsa, the 6-foot-9 standout, who is projected to be selected second overall, was included on the Associated Press preseason All-America team on Monday. The expectation surrounding Dybantsa grew on Saturday, after recording 30 points (10 of 19 in field goals), 7 rebounds, and 3 steals in BYU’s 90-89 exhibition game loss against Nebraska. Dybantsa commented that playing a road game against the Huskers was a good experience, despite the loss.
Speculation about the possibility of being the number 1 pick, and perhaps competing with Peterson in the search, is something Dybantsa has also tried to avoid.“I don’t think everyone had their best game. Some were nervous,” he said. “It was the first college game for freshmen or their first game with BYU, or their first game on the biggest stage. I like the level of the Big 12, but I learned a lot. I felt more comfortable in an exhibition and just competing, learning about the away crowds, what away games are like. I never really played a crazy away game, so it was fun.”
AJ Dybantsa
Peterson emphasized that his only current focus is to be a great leader for the Jayhawks and adapt to college life.“I think [Peterson] and I probably have similar mindsets, obviously, playing with him since my freshman year,” Dybantsa said. “I don’t think he’s too worried about being number 1. I think he’s just trying to prove himself as a college player and probably has the same goal as me: to go out and win.”
AJ Dybantsa
Although Dybantsa and Peterson were the focus of attention at Wednesday’s event, the name of another NBA prospect was also mentioned. UCF coach Johnny Dawkins, after his team’s 96-71 loss in an exhibition game against Duke on Tuesday night, traveled to Kansas City with his players for Big 12 media day. Dawkins, former Duke star, said that freshman Cameron Boozer, two-time Gatorade National Player of the Year and projected as the number 3 pick in the latest mock draft, has the talent to excel at the next level after scoring 33 points (4 of 7 from the 3-point line) in the victory. “It’s fantastic. He’s a great basketball player and still has room to grow,” Dawkins said on Wednesday. “I’m watching him play and what struck me the most is that it was a very good basketball game, and his competitive spirit, I saw him raise his level and that’s what great players do. They are able to raise their level in those moments and I saw him do it.” “When I saw that happening, I knew exactly who it was going to be. He’s going to be a great college player and will be a fantastic professional.”“I lead by example and try to do everything right, both on and off the court,” he said. “I think that’s good for the team if you can see a young guy come in and do that.”
Darryn Peterson
