Star Jazz rookie Darryn Peterson had car stolen from Airbnb during pre-draft process

Welcome to the life of a professional athlete, Darryn Peterson.

The No. 2 overall pick in this year’s NBA draft is off to a great start in his pro career, but immediately before that? Not so much.

In an interview earlier this month with ESPN’s Chiney Ogwumike, Peterson shared his unfortunate wake-up call leading up to the draft.

Darryn Peterson of the Utah Jazz drives to the basket against the Washington Wizards during the 2026 NBA Summer League game on July 9, 2026, at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NBAE via Getty Images

“Crazy story: my whip, during the pre-draft, got [stolen] out of the driveway at the Airbnb I was staying at,” Peterson revealed when asked what he purchased with his first pro paycheck. “After it got took, I was like, ’I’m about to just get something else.’”

Kansas Jayhawks guard Darryn Peterson controls the ball against the Houston Cougars during the semifinals of the Big 12 Tournament at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 13, 2026. Getty Images

His new ride? A custom matte black Range Rover. And yes, he’s learned to keep it in the garage.

The Jazz rookie erupted onto the pro scene with 28 points in his NBA Summer League debut. Over five games, he averaged 23 points — good enough for sixth best on the summer circuit — with 3.2 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game.

He’ll get his first shot on an NBA court in the Jazz’s preseason opener on Oct. 4 against Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets. Utah opens the regular season on Oct. 21 at Memphis.

Darryn Peterson looks on during the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. NBAE via Getty Images

Peterson was in the mix for the top pick and ultimately fell to Utah after the Wizards took AJ Dybantsa No. 1 overall.

A standout at Kansas, Peterson averaged 20.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists in his sole season with the Jayhawks. He spent much of his college tenure battling cramps — and criticism of his lack of availability — something he attributes to high doses of the supplement creatine.

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