NBA draft prospect Darryn Peterson said he wants to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft [1].

This strategy is highly unusual for a top prospect, as most players engage with multiple teams to build leverage and ensure a high draft position. By limiting his interactions, Peterson is tying his professional entry directly to the Washington Wizards.

Peterson said he has decided to meet only with the Washington Wizards and is refusing workouts with other teams [2]. The Wizards currently hold the No. 1 pick, and Peterson believes aligning exclusively with the franchise will secure his spot at the top of the draft [3].

He has already visited the Washington Wizards [4]. This singular focus comes as Peterson enters the professional conversation following a productive collegiate stint. As a freshman at Kansas, Peterson averaged 20.2 points per game [5].

Despite his confidence, external evaluations vary. Peterson is currently ranked as the No. 2 prospect on the CBS Sports Big Board [6]. This discrepancy between his personal goal and some scouting rankings suggests a potential risk if the Wizards decide on a different player or if the pick is traded.

Most players use the pre-draft process to showcase their skills to a wide array of general managers. By ignoring other teams, Peterson is bypassing the traditional safety net of having multiple suitors. He is betting that his value is high enough that the Wizards will not overlook him, regardless of his refusal to work out for other franchises [2].

“Darryn Peterson said he wants to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.”

Peterson is employing a high-risk, high-reward strategy by attempting to force a specific landing spot. By refusing to engage with other teams, he removes the competitive pressure that usually drives teams to draft a player higher. If the Washington Wizards do not select him first, he may find himself with fewer options and less leverage during contract negotiations.