Darryn Peterson Might Welcome Being Drafted to the Utah Jazz After All
Darryn Peterson Might Welcome Being Drafted to the Utah Jazz After All
After tons of buzz surrounded Darryn Peterson's decision to not work out with Utah, he might be the pick at No. 2 anyways.Jared Koch|
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Utah JazzSince it was reported that projected top-three pick, Darryn Peterson, wouldn't be working out with the Utah Jazz ahead of the 2026 NBA Draft, much chatter has come up in the days following regarding the Kansas guard's potential disinterest in being selected by the Jazz due to a variety of factors.
Whether it be sheer determination to be the number-one pick, a desire to be with the Washington Wizards, or even hesitancy to join the Jazz due to having the same agency as Keyonte George, the conversations have been rampant surrounding Peterson as Utah's decision nears around the corner.
However, as the countdown for this year's draft now sits only a few hours away, it looks like Peterson's lack of desire to land with Utah might've been a bit overblown. And in reality, he might be welcoming to the opportunity to be selected by the Jazz.
Darryn Peterson Met With the Jazz Before the Draft?
According to Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal, Peterson has not only met with the Jazz front office before heading to New York for the draft this week, but he also seems to be onboard with the idea of coming to Utah if he is selected at the second-overall pick.
"Former Kansas guard Darryn Peterson recently met with members of the Utah Jazz front office before arriving in New York ahead of the 2026 NBA Draft, though he did not hold an on-court workout for the franchise, according to DallasHoopsJournal sources."
"Various outlets, including DallasHoopsJournal, reported a potential concern from Peterson’s representation about backcourt overlap with Keyonte George... However, sources said that is not believed to factor into Utah’s thought process, and it’s also not a reflection of Peterson’s perception of the Jazz, as he would welcome the opportunity to play in Utah if drafted by the Jazz."
While Peterson didn't specifically work out with the Jazz, as it was only a reported pre-draft meeting that was conducted, that won't matter much to Utah's bottom line of whether or not he'll be the choice at second overall.
The Jazz and their scouting team have done all the work they need to on Peterson in terms of film review, studying his medicals, and any other evaluations that they felt necessary to decide whether or not he'll be the pick at number two, if he is indeed on the board.
Meeting with him gives just a bit more clarity on who he is as a person, and gives the front office an opportunity to connect face-to-face with him. And in doing so, it feels like there doesn't appear to be any worries about his desire to come to Utah.
It's not like any unwillingness on Peterson's part would change the Jazz's decision-making process anyways. If Peterson is the player they have their eye on as the best available choice, there's been zero reason to believe Utah wouldn't submit their draft card with his name on it.
However, there's no telling whether or not Peterson will be the particular prospect that Utah has its eye on, or even if he'll be up for grabs at second overall, depending on how the Wizards approach their top pick ahead of them.
Cameron Boozer has seen several connections to the Jazz leading up to the draft as someone that the front office could potentially have their eye on, and maybe he's ranked higher than Peterson on Utah's draft board. If Peterson goes one and Dybantsa's there at two, then maybe the BYU star is ultimately the pick.
So there's undoubtedly a bit of mystery surrounding how those top three spots in the draft will go, and who Utah will secure as their next franchise cornerstone. Time will tell how it all pans out. But nonetheless, the stage is set for an exciting few hours ahead before the Jazz's decision becomes final.
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Published Jun 22, 2026
JARED KOCHJared Koch is the deputy editor of Utah Jazz On SI. He's covered the NBA and NFL for the past two years, contributing to Denver Broncos On SI, Indianapolis Colts On SI, and Sacramento Kings On SI. He has covered multiple NBA and NFL events on site, and his works have also appeared on Bleacher Report, MSN, and Yahoo.
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Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
