10 NBA Rookies to Watch at Training Camp: Darryn Peterson Impresses Veterans
The NBA training camp is underway, and for the first time in months, the league's newest faces are sharing a floor with the veterans who will test them. It's the annual rite of passage: raw talent meets seasoned know-how, and rookies find out quickly whether they belong.
For the 2026-27 class, the spotlight is bright and the expectations are heavy. Lottery picks are supposed to shine, but training camp has a way of revealing who's truly ready — and who still needs time. Among the 10 rookies worth watching, one name is already turning heads with something beyond his scoring numbers.
Darryn Peterson, the No. 2 pick out of Kansas, hasn't played a single NBA minute yet. But he's already earned a rare endorsement from a veteran who's seen plenty.
"I've never seen in my 13 years, a kid come in and be that mature for his age," Utah Jazz center Jusuf Nurkic said as camp opened.
That's not a throwaway compliment. Nurkic has been in the league since 2014, bouncing from Denver to Portland to Phoenix to Utah. He's seen lottery picks come and go, seen talent flash and fade. For him to single out Peterson's maturity — not his jumper, not his athleticism, but his maturity — speaks volumes.
Peterson arrives in Salt Lake City with a scorer's pedigree. At Kansas, he averaged 20.2 points per game while knocking down 38.2% of his three-pointers. He was the Jayhawks' go-to option, a guard who could create his own shot and stretch the floor. Those numbers are impressive, but they don't capture what Nurkic is describing.
The 19-year-old is expected to share the backcourt with fourth-year guard Keyonte George, giving the Jazz a young, dynamic duo. But training camp isn't about lineups yet — it's about habits. It's about showing up early, absorbing the playbook, and earning trust. According to Nurkic, Peterson is already doing that.
He's not the only rookie drawing praise. Cameron Boozer, the No. 3 pick by the Memphis Grizzlies, is carrying a famous name and a polished game. The son of former All-Star Carlos Boozer, Cameron put up 22.5 points and 10.2 rebounds per game in his lone season at Duke. Grizzlies guard Ty Jerome was equally effusive.
"I think Boozer has got to be one of the most mature 19-year-olds I've seen," Jerome said. "On the court, off the court, feel for the game. His ability to shoot, pass, and dribble at that height is super impressive. I think he's just going to impact winning."
Boozer, at 6'9" with guard skills, is expected to be one of the best rookies of the season. His camp performance has backed that up, according to Jerome, who sees a player who simply makes winning plays.
Then there's AJ Dybantsa, the No. 1 pick by the Washington Wizards. The former BYU standout won Big 12 Freshman of the Year and arrives as a high-level scorer. With Anthony Davis and Trae Young already in Washington, Dybantsa is slated to be the third option — but training camp will show how he handles that role and whether he can step into a leadership position immediately.
Yaxel Lendeborg is a different kind of rookie. He's not a one-and-done. He spent six seasons in college, playing at Arizona Western, UAB, and Michigan. That experience gives him a maturity that many of his peers lack, and it could make him a surprise contributor this season.
Training camp is where first impressions are made, and for these 10 rookies, it's a chance to prove they're more than draft-night highlights. Peterson has already made his mark with one of the league's most respected veterans. Boozer is turning heads with his all-around game. Dybantsa is learning how to fit alongside stars.
As the preseason unfolds, the question won't be about stats — it'll be about readiness. Who can handle the physicality? Who can process the speed? Who can earn the trust of a locker room full of veterans?
For Darryn Peterson, the answer, according to Jusuf Nurkic, is already clear.
"I've never seen in my 13 years, a kid come in and be that mature for his age."
That's the kind of praise that can't be faked. And it's the reason Peterson is the rookie to watch — not just for his scoring, but for his poise.
Training camp is just the beginning. The real tests come in October, when the lights turn on and the games count. But for now, the Jazz have a rookie who's impressing the right people. And that's a promising start.
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