1A, 1B, 1C for 2025

Good morning! We’re a Dino nuggets household. Have been for years (it’s been my son’s go-to meal for most of his life). If these nuggets every make their way into Texas, I may have to try ‘em out.

Let’s get to the news.

1. What’s Darryn Peterson’s path?

After a spring and summer where 2025 prospect Darryn Peterson cemented himself as one of the elite guys in his class, is there a case where the guard has a case as the BEST player in his class?

Normally, that’s be a foolish question given the on-court success, pedigree and future prospects of the top two players, AJ Dybantsa and Cameron Boozer. Both have been atop the class rankings for a year (ever since Dybantsa reclassified) and both players have delivered over the last year.

But there’s something about Peterson.

As he spoke with Jeff Goodman on Wednesday about the colleges he intends to visit — watch the video below — he made the case why there’s an argument to be the best player,

“[Dybantsa and Boozer] being on the Nike circuit probably is” one of the reasons, he told Goodman. “And the size difference. They’re both 6-9. I’m the first 6-5 on the [rankings]. That might be part of it.

“But it doesn’t really bother me too much. I feel like I’m No. 1, but everybody’s got opinions.”

There’s truth to the Nike vs. Adidas statement.

Peterson plays in the 3SSB circuit, which is sponsored by Adidas. It doesn’t get the same attention (the championship in Rock Hill was the weekend before Peach Jam, but got a fraction of the overall attention), and the overall cachet Nike brings to college basketball is nearly impossible to match.

Peterson is 6-5 with a 6-10 wingspan, has the requisite athleticism of a top prospect, plus skills to match. He can shoot, play on or off the ball, and can get his own shot against pretty much anyone.

This could be a case of where several players have an argument as the best player, which happens every now and then. I think about 2007 (Derrick Rose, Kevin Love, Michael Beasley, Eric Gordon, OJ Mayo), 2013 (Andrew Wiggins, Julius Randle, Jabari Parker, Aaron Gordon, Joel Embiid) or 2020 (Cade Cunningham, Jalen Green, Evan Mobley, Jonathan Kuminga) and remember that there can be several guys who are headed for NBA stardom.

And where’s Peterson visiting?

He made a top eight of (in alphabetical order): Arizona State, Kansas, Kansas State, Kentucky, Louisville, Ohio State, USC and Washington. FWIW, ASU, Kansas, Louisville and Washington are the only Adidas schools on that list. Whether that’s a signal of where Peterson would lean isn’t clear.

He’s planning to visit them in August and September, with a November commitment. There’s a chance it happens sooner than that, but as long as it comes before the season starts, I’ll be a fan.

2. Auburn vs. Houston? Sounds great

What do you get when you announce a two-year neutral-site series between two of the sport’s best programs?

Happiness.

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