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Injury Cloud Hangs Over 2026 NBA Draft's No. 1 Pick
24 Feb
Summary
- Darryn Peterson's top draft pick status is threatened by injuries.
- He has missed 11 games due to various health issues this season.
- Concerns link his health problems to past NBA draft busts like Fultz.
The 2026 NBA Draft class is brimming with talent, but Darryn Peterson's position as the presumptive No. 1 overall pick is now uncertain. Persistent leg injuries, cramps, and illnesses have caused him to miss 11 games and reduce playing time. These health concerns have caused his draft stock to fall, nearing a tie with other prospects like AJ Dybantsa on prediction markets. Peterson's performance against Cincinnati highlighted his struggles, appearing slow and lacking explosiveness on court.
Despite these setbacks, Peterson has shown flashes of brilliance when healthy, averaging 19.8 points on excellent shooting percentages. His high school and early college career demonstrated elite skills. However, his injury history now overshadows his talent, drawing parallels to past top picks such as Ben Simmons, Zion Williamson, and Markelle Fultz, whose NBA careers were significantly hampered by health problems. The ultimate impact of these issues on Peterson's promising trajectory remains to be seen.
