The Herd with Colin Cowherd
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PodcastThe Herd with Colin Cowherd
Publisher/creatoriHeartPodcasts and The Volume
Published
Shortcast updated
About this episode
Jason does his first scouting report on the 2026 NBA Draft, specifically debating whether Darryn Peterson of Kansas or AJ Dybantsa of BYU should be the number one overall pick. He breaks down the strengths and weaknesses of each player and also compares them as prospects to potential NBA rookie of the year, Cooper Flagg of the Dallas Mavericks. All lines presented by Hard Rock Bet . #Volume See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Episode summary
Welcome to Hoops Tonight—heavy Thursday vibes—and we’re taking our first real look at the 2026 NBA Draft, zeroing in on Darren Peterson and AJ DeBanza, why I’d pick one over the other, and what their NBA futures could be.
Odds lean toward Peterson going first, and I don’t think you can miss with either; both have real All‑NBA trajectories if they stay healthy.
I walked in expecting to prefer the big, powerful two‑guard archetype in Peterson, but I now lean slightly toward DeBanza because his rim pressure and playmaking feel scream higher ceiling.
What sets DeBanza apart is how violently and relentlessly he gets downhill for a lanky forward—he’s around 24, 7, and 4 on strong efficiency, with approximately seven rim attempts a game finishing at about 68 percent, plus polished pull‑up twos—so if the jumper and defense tick up, he has best‑player‑in‑the‑world upside.
He’s not yet an every‑trip impact defender and the jumper needs a small lift, but the motor, tools, and touch point to steady gains.
Peterson is a big, explosive shooter who’s been ridiculous off the catch and on movement—think mid‑to‑high forties on catch‑and‑shoot threes, great short pull‑ups, and about 20 a night on efficient splits—but he doesn’t live at the rim enough and can force things, which shows up as more turnovers than assists.
He’s not Anthony Edwards as an athlete or driver; I see more young Ray Allen—a lethal movement shooter with low rim volume who can grow into more on‑ball creation if the pull‑up three and driving game catch up.
There’s some noise around his availability and practice intensity, but I’m focusing on the basketball and betting an NBA structure helps him settle into a pro rhythm.
If the draft were today, I’d take DeBanza at one and Peterson at two, with room for late‑season swings if Peterson ramps up his driving and playmaking or DeBanza tightens the jumper and defense.
Where would Cooper Flagg slot with these two? On pre‑draft info he’s in the same tier, probably third; with what we’ve already seen translate in the league, I’d have him second behind DeBanza and just ahead of Peterson.
That’s all for today—appreciate the support as always, and we’ll be back tomorrow with the weekly mailbag.
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