Utah Jazz rookie Darryn Peterson opens up about getting No. 22 from Kyle Filipowski
Jun 27, 2026, 2:35 PM
Darryn Peterson, center, the No. 2 overall pick by the Utah Jazz in the 2026 NBA Draft, speaks as he’s joined by Ryan Smith, right, owner of the Utah Jazz and CEO of Smith Entertainment Group, and Austin Ainge, left, president of basketball operations for the Utah Jazz, during an introductory press conference for Peterson held at the Zions Bank Basketball Campus in Salt Lake City on Saturday, June 27, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Isaac Hale, Deseret News)
(Photo courtesy of Isaac Hale, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — After the Utah Jazz selected Darryn Peterson with the second pick in the NBA Draft, the topic of jersey number was quickly brought up.
Peterson wore No. 22 in both high school and at Kansas to honor his father who wore the same number during his playing career.
The problem was brought to his attention that Kyle Filipowski sported the No. 22 during his first two seasons with the Jazz. However, it was announced on Friday that Peterson was able to barter the number off of the third-year big man.
Peterson spoke about this interaction during his introductory press conference.
It wasn’t bad. He wanted to keep it but that’s his first assist to me. He was willing to give me it so I appreciate him for that. I told him that its an honor and I’m thankful that he did it.
In response to the follow-up question asking if he had to give up anything to get it, he replied, “Yeah for sure,” with a laugh.
That was just one of numerous other funny and memorable moments from Peterson’s first availability in Utah. He touched on his game, what he brings to the franchise, his upbringing, and his lone season with the Jayhawks.
Peterson became a large talking point during last years college basketball season after injuries kept him off the court more than himself, Kansas, and others would’ve liked.
I’ve been through adversity a ton of times in my life. I faced it and got through it. I can only control what I can control. What happened at Kansas, I think it’s behind me. I was working out three times a day during the pre-draft (process). I’ve done all of the tests, passed all of the physicals, and stuff. I can’t promise I won’t ever have a cramp again but what happened at Kansas defintiely won’t occur anymore. It’s behind me.
I thought this was the most interesting clip from Darryn Peterson in today’s press conference.
I still don’t get the impression there was a true smoking gun with his cramping, but I wonder how much of his unavailability was precautionary. pic.twitter.com/ktCEeY7fSi
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) June 27, 2026
The good news for Jazz fans is that president of basketball operations Austin Ainge basically mirrored those sentiments after Utah made the pick on Tuesday, saying that the front office did it’s due diligence and his injury history was not a concern.
Peterson spoke very highly of the fanbase and the city based off of his first impressions, and looks to be settling in well in his new home.
He will hit the court for the first time in a Utah Jazz jersey at the Salt Lake City Summer League which opens on Saturday, July 4.
