The 2025 high school class is loaded at the top. Cameron Boozer and AJ Dybantsa garner much of the limelight, but Darryn Peterson is making his case to sit squarely in that top group with his play early in the season. Currently the third-ranked prospect in 247’s composite rankings for the 2025 class, Peterson recently committed to Kansas.
Playing on the Adidas 3SSB circuit this summer, Peterson may have received less attention than his Nike EYBL peers. But he played like the best player in the country this summer, averaging 24.1 points per game (58.4% true shooting), 2.7 steals and 1.9 blocks per game, according to Synergy.
He’s joined West Coast powerhouse Prolific Prep this season, which defeated Columbus and the Boozer Brothers on Thursday night. Peterson played like an NBA guard matching up against children, tallying 33 points (11/17, 77.1% true shooting), 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals and three blocks.
Peterson’s suffocating defense
Despite carrying Prolific Prep in scoring, pouring in half of his team’s 66 points, his we’ll begin with his suffocating defense. Peterson’s five stocks (steals + blocks) can’t come close to telling the full story. This past AAU season, Peterson evolved into one of the best defenders in the country. He has played like it to begin his senior high school season.
After one quarter, Prolific Prep trailed Columbus 19-10, which would have been 19-7 if not for a Peterson buzzer-beater. Columbus scored just 11 points in the second quarter, largely due to Peterson’s defense. He locked in at the point of attack; opposing handlers couldn’t shake him.
Peterson’s defensive versatility stands out above all. Beyond his on-ball goodness, Peterson thrives as a help defender. He digs hard at the nail, rotates to jump passes and covers gaps. He’s a fearsome weak-side rim protector as well, leaping off of two to contest vertically and force misses.
darryn peterson put on a show against columbus last night but the defense stands out to me most.
poa, low man helper, digging at the nail, he might be the best defensive prospect in the 2025 high school class. playing like a future all NBA defender right now pic.twitter.com/7wzat4b5oR
— ben pfeifer (@bjpf_) November 21, 2024
Offenses can punish Peterson when he gambles for blocks and steals, but he was unbelievably sharp against Columbus. For defenders as gifted as him, defenses live with the occasional errors for all of the turnovers he’ll create. This clip exemplifies that best, as Peterson erases this jumper out of nowhere after Caleb Gaskins creates space:
darryn lord have mercy what on earth is this block hahahahahahahaha pic.twitter.com/UoRT8QVCfI
— ben pfeifer (@bjpf_) November 21, 2024
Peterson’s elite tools and instincts help him reach star-level defensive impact. His speed, explosion, body control and balance are all phenomenal. Those same tools let him dominate on offense, where Peterson controlled this game as few teenagers can.
Darryn Peterson’s dominant offense
After a quiet first quarter, Peterson warmed up and didn’t cool off for the rest of the evening. He drilled 4 of his 7 three-point attempts and splashed a number of off-dribble jumper. He’s a wonderful pull-up shooter, carving space with his handle and burst to navigate to whichever spot he chooses.
Peterson boasts every creation tool one could hope for. To counter his pull-up shooting, Peterson pressures the rim with a high-end first step, sudden deceleration and ambidextrous finishing. It’s rare to see basketball players shoot and make floaters with their weak hand as often as Peterson can.
Few teenage ballhandlers handle pressure like Peterson does. Columbus threw multiple bodies at him all game and Peterson calmly weaved through them. He glides around the court, changing speeds and directions without any latency. Simply put, Peterson moves at a different tempo than every other player on the basketball court.
darryn peterson gets plenty of credit for his skill level but he’s a different mover with the ball in his hands. acceleration and deceleration are both nuts for a 6’6ish teenage guard
always in control pic.twitter.com/p2HWodLFFK
— ben pfeifer (@bjpf_) November 21, 2024
He’s a phenomenal passer as well as we see in the clip above where Peterson finds his man for a lob. His skill translates to playmaking; Peterson whips passes with both hands all over the floor. Peterson’s already a natural blending his scoring and playmaking, adept at punishing defenses who trap and blitz. It rarely feels like Peterson makes ill-advised decisions. His poise on the ball is remarkable.
This Columbus explosion was one of many incredible Peterson performances we’ll see this season. At the moment, he’s playing like the best two-way player in the country and is doing it against the best competition.
The road to the top of the 2025 class will be steep and challenging, but Peterson’s talent could get him there. If showings like Tuesday’s are any indication, we could see Peterson challenge for 2025’s crown and the eventual top pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
