‘Best High School Games I’ve Seen’: Dusty May Recalls Darryn Peterson Battling Cameron Boozer Before Dallas Mavericks Face Utah Jazz
DALLAS — Mavericks coach Dusty May got an early look at Darryn Peterson because one of Peterson’s high school teammates signed with him, and May watched Peterson work out and play games, including against Cameron Boozer.
Peterson, the second overall pick in June’s draft out of Kansas, brings the Utah Jazz (1-7) to American Airlines Center to face the Dallas Mavericks in NBA Cup group play Friday night. Through eight games, all starts, he is averaging 12.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.8 assists in 30.3 minutes while shooting 35.4% from the field and 32.4% from three-point range.
May saw Kansas play a few times last season, though not extensively, and remembered Peterson moving in and out of the lineup. He called Utah’s collection of young players a really good group.
“Actually, we signed one of his high school teammates, so I saw him work out, saw him play games,” May said. “Actually, saw him play against Cam Boozer. Best high school games I’ve seen, those two going at it.”
“I’ve watched Kansas a few times, but not extensively. And obviously, he was in and out of the lineup there,” May continued. “But they have a talented group. They have a really good group of young players in Utah.”
Darryn Peterson And Cameron Boozer Went Second And Third In 2026 Draft
Utah took Peterson second overall, and the Memphis Grizzlies took Boozer third.
At Kansas, Peterson averaged 20.2 points per game and earned second-team All-Big 12 honors. Boozer averaged 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists in 38 games at Duke and became the fifth freshman named AP men’s national player of the year. Cooper Flagg, now in his second season with Dallas, played his lone college season at Duke in 2024-25.
May coached FAU from 2018 to 2024 and took the Owls to the 2023 Final Four. He spent two seasons at Michigan before Dallas hired him June 23, and he is in his first season as an NBA head coach.
Utah Jazz Bring Young Core To Dallas On Six-Game Skid
Peterson scored 14 points on 5-of-13 shooting with 6 assists, 3 blocks, and 3 steals in Monday’s 119-97 loss at San Antonio. In Wednesday’s 120-113 overtime loss at New Orleans, he had 7 points on 2-of-8 shooting with 7 assists.
Utah has lost six straight since a 120-119 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Oct. 23. Keyonte George leads the Jazz at 22.0 points per game, along with 5.9 assists. Ace Bailey, the fifth overall pick in 2025, is averaging 12.5 points and 7.3 rebounds.
The Jazz are without Jaren Jackson Jr. (right MCL tear) and Jusuf Nurkić (right second plantar plate tear). Dallas and Utah meet again Nov. 22 at Delta Center.
Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. CT.
