One-on-one with top 2025 guard Darryn Peterson

Krysten Peek chats with the top 5 player in the 2025 high school class at the U16 USA Basketball tryouts.

Video Transcript

KRYSTEN PEEK: I'm Krysten Peek, here with Darryn Peterson We're at USA Basketball U16 tryouts in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Darryn, this is probably one of the most talented groups that I've seen in a while. How has the competition been?

DARRYN PETERSON: It's great, a lot of top guys, a lot of five stars, and a lot of people competing to make the team. So it's high intensity.

KRYSTEN PEEK: And where-- who's been someone that's stood out to you. I mean, I know you're on the Adidas circuit. You're playing against some of the Nike and Under Armor guys.

DARRYN PETERSON: I'd say Koa, Boozer, Big Boozer Cam, and Caden.

KRYSTEN PEEK: Yeah.

DARRYN PETERSON: Everybody's working hard. So pretty much everybody right now, honestly.

KRYSTEN PEEK: What does it say about this 2025 class, and how talented you guys are, the fact that you guys can come out here and compete at the highest level and represent Team USA?

DARRYN PETERSON: We feel like we're the best class ever, honestly. Just we work hard. And we're just grinding to be that best class. And everybody's trying to get to the League.

KRYSTEN PEEK: What's the relationship like in between the players and everything? I mean, obviously, you guys are competing. But have you started for form like different brotherhoods and everything with this class?

DARRYN PETERSON: Off court, we all cool. Like how we compete in here, you'd think we wouldn't be friends. But like off court, we all in each other's rooms, chilling, playing the games, talking about the game last night, everything.

KRYSTEN PEEK: And NBA scouts are here, watching you. I mean, this isn't the first time that they've seen you. But do you come in with a little bit extra to prove to show that you've made improvement from the last time that they've seen you in the gym?

DARRYN PETERSON: Yeah, definitely. That's the biggest thing for me is just showing people that I'm getting better every time I come.

KRYSTEN PEEK: Where have you seen the most growth in your game from last season to now?

DARRYN PETERSON: I'd say my shape. Just being out here in this altitude is definitely harder. And then my defensive, being defensive.

KRYSTEN PEEK: I know, those two-a-days, right? They're starting to get to you guys.

DARRYN PETERSON: I know, they're bad.

KRYSTEN PEEK: All right, and you still have plenty of time on the recruitment front. But how's that whole process going?

DARRYN PETERSON: Good, I love hearing from the coaches. They call my coach and my dad.

KRYSTEN PEEK: OK.

DARRYN PETERSON: So that's cool right now.

KRYSTEN PEEK: And you're one of those players, I mean, when I started looking at your profile and everything, I love when I have to read off offers.

DARRYN PETERSON: Yeah.

KRYSTEN PEEK: Let's just run down this list. You, currently-- you're an incoming junior, a rising junior. And you have offers from Arizona State, Arkansas, Baylor, Indiana, Kentucky, LSU, Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio State, Pitt, St. John's, Syracuse, Texas, West Virginia, Xavier, and Duke. What's it like to get all that attention from so many different Power Five high level programs?

DARRYN PETERSON: It's just a great feeling, knowing that some of my hard work is paying off. But I'm just going to continue to get better, these two years that I got. So when that time has come, I'm ready to make that decision.

KRYSTEN PEEK: Have you been to any campuses for unofficials at all?

DARRYN PETERSON: I've been to Michigan State, Ohio State and Michigan.

KRYSTEN PEEK: Has Michigan State or Michigan offered?

DARRYN PETERSON: Yeah.

KRYSTEN PEEK: OK, so they've offered, as well.

DARRYN PETERSON: Yep, yep.

KRYSTEN PEEK: And what did you take from those visits? Let's first start with Michigan.

DARRYN PETERSON: I got to watch their practice and see how hard they went every rep. Like Coach Sherman says here, every rep, you've got to go hard. I've seen that in their games.

KRYSTEN PEEK: And Michigan State?

DARRYN PETERSON: Yep, same thing, I watched them practice. And then I got to get in a little five on five with them. That was fun.

KRYSTEN PEEK: Nice.

DARRYN PETERSON: Just that long court, it's hard, too.

KRYSTEN PEEK: Yeah, and then what was the other one you said?

DARRYN PETERSON: Michigan.

KRYSTEN PEEK: No, Michigan, Michigan State, and?

DARRYN PETERSON: Oh, Ohio State.

KRYSTEN PEEK: Ohio State. What did you like about being on that campus? And did you get anything extra from meeting with that coaching staff?

DARRYN PETERSON: The big thing was just being a hometown hero for them, just being from Ohio.

KRYSTEN PEEK: Oh, yeah.

DARRYN PETERSON: That'd be big for me, so.

KRYSTEN PEEK: Any schools that you want to get to?

DARRYN PETERSON: Pretty much, every school that offered, honestly, I'm going to go visit. Yeah.

KRYSTEN PEEK: You're like serious about this process.

DARRYN PETERSON: Yeah.

KRYSTEN PEEK: You want to try to take it-- you want to take your time and see what everyone has to offer.

DARRYN PETERSON: Yes, ma'am.

KRYSTEN PEEK: Are you going to like explore the pro route at all? Either like they Ignite or Overtime or whatever?

DARRYN PETERSON: Yeah, I'm, obviously, open right now. I'm not sure if I'm going to school or if I'm going pro. Everything's open right now.

KRYSTEN PEEK: What's most important to you when you start to weigh these different schools?

DARRYN PETERSON: Just the coaching-- a coach that's going to coach me hard and want me to get better, help me be the better version of me.

KRYSTEN PEEK: OK, all right, well, anyone that has an offer that is kind of in your ear and talking to you at all?

DARRYN PETERSON: Uh, no.

KRYSTEN PEEK: No?

DARRYN PETERSON: Not really, no.

KRYSTEN PEEK: I mean, you already have a ton of schools. And I missed Michigan and Michigan State. All right, um, anything-- what are your goals this summer, in terms of how you want to get better?

DARRYN PETERSON: Definitely making this team is one of the biggest goals right now. And keep taking care of my body, stretching and eating better.

KRYSTEN PEEK: Yep.

DARRYN PETERSON: That's the biggest thing right now. And staying in that weight room.

KRYSTEN PEEK: Darryn, and I appreciate your time. Thank you so much.

DARRYN PETERSON: Appreciate you. Thank you.

KRYSTEN PEEK: Good luck. For more information on Darryn Peterson, keep right here on Yahoo Sports.