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AIPROPX ReportYahoo Sports · 2h ago
Darryn Peterson and AJ Dybantsa are Falling In the Race for Rookie of the Year
AJ Dybantsa of the Washington Wizards is not the favorite to be named Rookie of the Year this season, but the man who leapfrogged the former BYU star in the order is not the Utah Jazz 's second overall pick, Darryn Peterson.
Straightforward logic would suggest that the number-one overall pick in any given NBA Draft class should enter his rookie season as the favorite for the Rookie of the Year Award, followed by the second pick, and then the third, and so on.
As it currently stands in the months leading up to the opening tip of the 2026-27 NBA season, Darryn Peterson has the third-highest odds of winning the rookie class's most prized honor by the end of the season. He looks up at Cameron Boozer, the third overall pick, and Caleb Wilson, the fourth overall pick. AJ Dybantsa, the number-one selection, currently stands with the fourth-highest odds.
So, what's the rub? Why are the two best players, according to NBA front offices' draft-pick-cast votes, not leading the charge in the race for Rookie of the Year, and should this send their respective fan bases into a panic?
Truthfully, not at all.
Since 2019, eight players have been awarded the ROY. Of those eight players, five were not the number-one overall pick in their class. Only one of those five were the second overall pick, leaving half of the last eight winners being selected third or lower in their draft class.
In simple terms: being the number-one pick is not a coronation. But on the other hand, winning the Rookie of the Year Award is not a guarantee of future success.
Cade Cunningham was drafted first overall in 2021, but lost out to Scottie Barnes, the fourth overall pick. Today, few would argue that Cunningham isn't the best player in his crop.
LaMelo Ball won the honor over the number one pick, Anthony Edwards, the prior season. Now teammates, Edwards still drives the bus in Minnesota.
There's a flip side to that coin, as well. Ben Simmons was a number-one pick and the Rookie of the Year. He won that honor despite strong years from Jayson Tatum and Donovan Mitchell, perennial all-stars of today, but is now out of the league entirely.
Darryn Peterson might not win the Rookie of the Year Award; don't take that award as the defining factor of a future star, however. Some of the best players in the league today never took home the ROY.
Darryn PetersonAJ DybantsaFalling InRaceRookieYearWashington WizardsBYUUtah JazzStraightforwardNBA DraftYear Award
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