Big 12 Stars Focused on the Season, Not the NBA
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Big 12 could boast of having the first two picks in the next NBA draft, but both Darryn Peterson of Kansas and AJ Dybantsa of BYU, claim that the NBA is not on their minds at the moment. During Big 12 media day, Peterson, a five-star recruit and 6-foot-6-inch guard projected to be No. 1 in the 2026 NBA draft, said he is focused on helping the Jayhawks win this season, putting aside speculation about his future.Peterson was named the Big 12 preseason freshman of the year and was unanimously selected for the preseason All-Big 12 first team. Dybantsa, the standout 6-foot-9-inch player projected to be drafted second overall, was named to the Associated Press preseason All-America team on Monday. The excitement surrounding Dybantsa grew on Saturday as he recorded 30 points (10 of 19), 7 rebounds, and 3 steals in BYU’s 90-89 exhibition loss to Nebraska. Dybantsa said that playing a road game against the Huskers was a good experience, despite the loss.“I handle it by not paying any attention to it. I’m just going to go out there and play to win games,” Peterson commented.
Darryn Peterson
However, speculation about the possibility of being the number 1 pick, and perhaps competing with Peterson, is also something Dybantsa has tried to avoid.“I don’t think everyone had their best game. Some were nervous,” he said. “It was the first college game for the 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 playing in an exhibition and just competing there, learning about the visiting fans, what away games are like. I never really played a crazy away game, so it was fun.”
AJ Dybantsa
Peterson stated that his only focus at the moment is to be a great leader for the Jayhawks and to adapt to college life.“I think [Peterson] and I probably have similar mindsets, obviously, playing with him since, I’d say, my freshman year,” Dybantsa said. “I don’t think he’s too worried about [being the No. 1 overall]. I think he’s really trying to prove himself as a college player and probably has the same goal as me: to go out and win.”
AJ Dybantsa
While Dybantsa and Peterson were the focus of Wednesday’s event, another NBA prospect’s name was also mentioned. UCF coach Johnny Dawkins, after his team’s 96-71 exhibition loss to Duke on Tuesday night, boarded a plane to Kansas City with his players for Big 12 media day. Dawkins, a former Duke star, said that freshman Cameron Boozer, a two-time national Gatorade 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 3) in the victory.“I lead by example and I’m trying 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 coming in and doing it.”
Darryn Peterson
“It’s fantastic. He’s a great basketball player and still has room to grow,” Dawkins said on Wednesday. “I mean, I’m watching him there and what stood out most is that it was a very good basketball game and his competitive spirit, you 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 that.”
Johnny Dawkins
