Darryn Peterson was selected with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, and the Utah Jazz are banking on him becoming the franchise cornerstone they’ve been chasing for years.
The Kansas guard spent just one season in college, but it was more than enough to make it to the NBA. He averaged 20.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.4 steals a game and earned All-Big 12 Second Team honors before declaring for the draft.
One of the first questions any rookie faces on draft night concerns the number they will wear on the back of their jersey — and for Peterson, it’s already proving an awkward decision.
Darryn Peterson wants No. 22 at Utah — but it’s already taken
Speaking in his introductory press conference, Peterson was asked about the No. 22 he wore at Kansas and in high school. It’s the number his father, Darryl Peterson II, wore during his playing days at Akron.
Then came the news that someone else has it in Utah.
Told that Kyle Filipowski currently wears 22, Peterson made clear he intends to ask about it, and floated a potential backup.
He said: “I’m going to have to see what he’s willing to do to give that up. But if not, can you wear 8 in the NBA?
“Sometimes there’s numbers you can’t wear. Might try to rock 8 or see if he’s willing to give it up, but probably like 8. Kobe vibes. I just got Kobe tattooed on my shoulder. So y’all are going to see that soon.”
There was a catch with that plan, too.
Peterson was soon informed that No. 8 already belongs to Jazz guard Isaiah Collier, who switched to it last season.
He responded: “So I’m out of luck. I’m going to have to go to the drawing board and figure something out. Hopefully I can get 22. I’m probably going to text Flip right now, like, what do I gotta do?”
The math works in Peterson’s favor. Filipowski came to Utah as a second-round pick in 2024, while Peterson is the No. 2 selection and the player the rebuild is being centered around.
Collier may not put up much of a fight, either. He only landed on No. 8 after it opened up last summer, and he previously said he chose his rookie number simply because it was available.
Franchises want to keep their prized stars happy, and a jersey swap is about the easiest request to grant for that purpose.
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