NBA Draft notes on Dybantsa, Peterson, Boozer at media day
Jun 22, 2026, 5:09 PM | Updated: 5:10 pm
SALT LAKE CITY – NBA Draft media day took place Monday in New York City, with projected top picks AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, and Cameron Boozer in attendance.
The talented trio is expected to go within the first three picks of the draft, though the order in which their names will be called remains unclear.
Darryn Peterson reveals he spoke to Jazz after canceling his workout
AJ Dybantsa impresses at NBA Draft availability
Among the projected top three picks, Dybantsa carried himself most like the face of a franchise.
The BYU wing appeared relaxed with reporters, answering a barrage of questions. He described the pre-draft process as “a whirlwind,” said the one skill he would take from a fellow draftee was “Aday Mara’s height,” and named “Kevin Durant and Jaylen Brown” as current NBA players he already knows well.
Dybantsa spoke warmly about his time in Provo, specifically the advice he received from coach Kevin Young.
“Attention to detail is very important, especially when you get to the league,” Dybantsa recalled Young telling him. “You can get away with a lot in high school or in college, but in the league, you’re not going to get away with those types of things.”
Regardless of where he lands, the 19-year-old said he plans to stay connected to BYU and attend games when his schedule allows.
“I’m still going to be in contact, I am going to try to go to games, obviously, with my schedule, I don’t know what games I’m going to be able to go to,” Dybantsa said. “If they play in the city I go to, I am definitely going to the games.”
All three prospects handled the spotlight comfortably, but Dybantsa appeared the most at ease entering Tuesday’s draft.
Peterson happy with any outcome on draft night
Last week, I reported that Darryn Peterson’s camp felt confident enough that he would be selected with the No. 1 overall pick that they canceled his workout with the Utah Jazz.
Although Peterson did not travel to Utah, he acknowledged on Monday that he had “met” with the Jazz in recent days ahead of the draft.
The 19-year-old described the interaction as “another Chicago kind of meeting,” referring to a conversation during the draft combine shortly after the lottery.
Peterson said he left the meeting unsure of the Jazz’s plans for draft night.
“Everybody has got like a poker face right now, I can’t read anybody,” Peterson said. “But all the meetings went well.”
When asked if he preferred Washington, Peterson said, “Wherever I end up, I am happy to be there.”
Despite describing himself as an anti-social loner during his freshman season at Kansas, Peterson was surprisingly warm during Monday’s interviews and seemed at ease during the Q and A.
The guard had a warm personality during his 20-plus-minute media session, and he seems like he’d fit in well with his teammates in the NBA, wherever he lands.
Boozer’s ties to Utah may be overstated
Cam Boozer remains closely linked to the Jazz because of both his draft position and his father’s history with the franchise.
Carlos Boozer played six seasons in Utah before leaving the team in 2009 to join the Chicago Bulls. The All-Star forward rejoined the organization in recent years, helping out with the draft during each of the last two summers.
Cam Boozer, however, was born in 2007 and lived in Salt Lake City for about a year. He has not spent significant time in Utah outside of visiting the Jazz during the pre-draft process.
The 18-year-old discussed his meetings with the Jazz since the combine.
“I was just trying to be myself in my conversations with them,” the Duke star said. “Show them who I am — A high character guy, you know, that’s really it, honestly.”
The Washington Wizards hold the No. 1 pick in Tuesday’s draft, followed by the Jazz at No. 2 and the Memphis Grizzlies at No. 3.
Other notes from draft day
Darius Acuff said the Jazz were the highest-picking team he visited ahead of the draft. He said he enjoyed his 24-hour visit with the organization and noted that teams wanted to evaluate his defensive effort during workouts.
Kingston Flemings said he did not work out for or speak with the Brooklyn Nets before the draft. Brooklyn holds the No. 6 overall pick.
Aday Mara stood out for his sheer size and coordination, a rare combination even among elite prospects.
Both Peterson and Boozer said they expect to compete in Summer League. There is a strong chance both players could make their NBA debuts in Utah, as the Jazz and Grizzlies are scheduled to play in the Salt Lake City Summer League.
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Ben Anderson is the Utah Jazz insider for KSL Sports and the co-host of Jake and Ben from 2-6pm with Jake Scott on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. Find Ben on Twitter at @BensHoops, on Instagram @BensHoops, or on BlueSky.
