During the NBA Summer League on Monday night, top rookies from this past June faced off on the court. Darryn Peterson, the No. 2 pick, led the Utah Jazz against Cameron Boozer, the No. 3 pick, representing the Memphis Grizzlies.
Peterson impressed in his second Summer League game by scoring 25 points. He made 8 out of 15 field goals, including three shots from beyond the arc, and converted three free throws. The former Kansas Jayhawks standout added 12 assists, two rebounds, and two steals, helping the Jazz secure a 109-100 victory.
“Always, I try to find something about everybody I play against,” Peterson said. “He was the pick after me, so I know he had probably had an agenda today as well, so I couldn’t let the ride.”
Boozer also delivered a strong performance, scoring 18 points along with seven rebounds, four assists, and a steal. He successfully made four 3-pointers and had a field goal percentage of 66.7%. His teammate, Cedric Coward, one of the top rookies from last season, led the Grizzlies by scoring 23 points.
The Utah Jazz, led by Peterson, will face the Oklahoma City Thunder’s squad on Tuesday night at the 2026 Salt Lake City Summer League. In contrast, Boozer and the Memphis Grizzlies will next play against the Atlanta Hawks.
The lead-up to the June NBA Draft saw significant interest in the top three picks, sparking debates about who would be chosen first. BYU’s AJ Dybantsa took the honor. Dybantsa was confident in his top-pick status and skipped workouts for teams. Many view him as the league’s next big star. However, Peterson and Boozer remain eager to prove they deserved the first pick.
Dybantsa, picked first, has yet to make his debut with the Washington Wizards. His debut is scheduled for Thursday night against Peterson and the Jazz. This match may hint at a budding rivalry between two promising young talents in the league.