Meet the NBA Draft prospect drawing Kobe Bryant comparisons

Rodney Knuppel

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Meet the NBA Draft prospect drawing Kobe Bryant comparisons image

Kansas freshman Darryn Peterson has played one regular-season college game yet, but the hype around him already feels bigger than the Allen Fieldhouse banners.

When a respected basketball voice like Doug Gottlieb calls a player “the closest thing to Kobe I’ve seen,” people pay attention. Gottlieb, now the head coach at Green Bay, posted that line on social media after watching Peterson in action.

And he’s not alone.

No surprise, since Peterson had as many points as he did minutes played in his debut, scoring 21 on 7 for 11 shooting in a 94-51 win over Gottlieb's Green Bay squad on Monday.

Basketball fans, scouts and former players are all taking notice of the 18-year-old guard from Canton, Ohio, who’s built his game on skill, drive and an edge that feels straight out of the Mamba playbook.

MORE: Darryn Peterson was super smooth in his college debut

A prodigy with early expectations

Peterson has been on the national radar since middle school.

By eighth grade, powerhouse programs were already sending scholarship offers. By high school, he was putting up 30 a night, leading teams across three different states, and becoming one of the most sought-after recruits in the country.

Kansas coach Bill Self didn’t hold back when Peterson committed last fall, saying, “Darryn’s the best player we’ve recruited since we’ve been here. He’s a special talent.”

The numbers back it up. At Prolific Prep in California, Peterson averaged over 30 points, seven rebounds and seven assists as a senior. He was named the 2025 Naismith Prep Player of the Year and shared MVP honors at the McDonald’s All-American Game.

Embracing the Mamba mentality

The Kobe comparisons started long before Gottlieb’s tweet.

One post from Draft Deeper went viral, pointing out Peterson’s footwork, his ability to create jump shots from impossible angles and the quick-twitch burst that makes defenders look stuck in slow motion.

“This is Kobe Bean Bryant type stuff,” the post read.

Peterson hasn’t shied away from those expectations.

In an interview before his Kansas debut, he said, “I work my butt off. The expectations come with it.”

That drive has become part of his identity. Like Kobe, he’s known for staying late in the gym, demanding perfection from himself and chasing greatness with obsession rather than comfort.

MORE: Why Bryce James isn't playing more for Arizona as freshman college basketball son of LeBron James

A new chapter in Lawrence

Peterson chose Kansas over Ohio State, USC and Kansas State, setting up what could be a one-year stop before heading to the NBA. Scouts have already labeled him a potential No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, and early footage from practice has fueled that belief.

At 6-5 and 206 pounds, he plays both guard spots and brings a blend of strength, poise and creativity that Kansas hasn’t seen since Andrew Wiggins.

But unlike Wiggins, Peterson’s approach feels meaner, hungrier.

Kansas fans are expecting fireworks, and so are NBA front offices. If he lives up to even half the buzz, this could be one of the most memorable freshman seasons in recent college history.

The next great one?

There’s always danger in comparing anyone to Kobe Bryant. But it’s not about trying to replace him, it’s about honoring what he stood for.

Peterson’s blend of polish and passion, his relentless work ethic, and his willingness to carry the weight of expectation make him stand out in a generation filled with highlight players.

For now, he’s just a freshman in Lawrence. But if the whispers are right, Darryn Peterson might be more than another five-star guard. He could be the next great story in basketball.

The Jayhawks are at North Carolina on Friday.

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Editorial Team