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The 2026 NBA draft class has been highly anticipated after seeing many talented prospects who can be huge assets and the best players for the franchises.

Darryn Peterson stood tall among the other rising stars and had the chance of being selected either first or second overall pick.

Speaking to the Road Trippin podcast, Kendrick Perkins said that he believes Peterson had the type of two-way potential that reflects Kobe Bryant, with scoring and defensive stops.

“Darryn Peterson, I got the chance to watch that motherf—ker one time. His floor is Bradley Beal and his ceiling, skill-wise, his ability to get buckets at all three levels, is Kobe Bryant,” Perkins said. “I’m talking about the talent level. There’s nothing that this man can’t do. You is not stopping this young man from getting any shot; he gets any shot, he gets to any spot that he wants to,” Perkins said.

The 19-year-old guard averaged 20.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game during his lone season at Kansas.

He showcased his ability as a shot creator and effectiveness without the ball, while most importantly, the physical tools he had that applied to being a perimeter defender.

“Kobe is my guy, and I’m inspired by him. So I just try to think, what would Kobe do right now? He’d get drafted and move on and try to go be the best possible, so that’s what I’m going to go do. I see a guy that went No. 1 on the screen there right now, so I’m extra motivated… It will always be in my mind for my whole career,” Peterson said.

Peterson was drafted by the Utah Jazz as the second overall pick and looks forward to leading the franchise to the playoffs this upcoming season.