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Kansas signee Darryn Peterson puts up insane stat line in team's win over AJ Dybantsa, Utah Prep

Wg0vf-nP_400x400by:Keegan Pope•02/09/25•

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Photo: Kentucky Sports Radio

One of the top high school basketball games of the year lived up to its lofty billing on Saturday night, as the No. 1 and No. 3 players in the Class of 2025 faced off in Atlanta.

Led by Darryn Peterson, a Kansas signee and the No. 2 player in the class, Prolific Prep (Calif.) took down No. 1 recruit AJ Dybantsa (BYU) and his Utah Prep squad in an 88-86 thriller. This was the second meeting between the two teams on this year’s Grind Session schedule, with Peterson stealing the show this time around.

The 6’5 shooting guard poured in 58 points to go along with seven rebounds, five assists and three steals, accounting for a whopping 66% of his team’s scoring output.

“That will go down as one of the best high school games and one of the best high school performances of all time,” Peterson’s coach, Ryan Bernardi, told ZagsBlog. “Great win for us.”

The 58-point outburst included a clutch 3-pointer that ultimately proved to be the game-winner where Peterson pump-faked a defender, stepped into a triple and nailed it from the right corner. The performance also broke Prolific Prep’s single game scoring record previously held by current Milwaukee Bucks guard Gary Trent Jr., who scored 48 in a game during the 2017-18 season.

Dybantsa, not to be outdone, scored 49 and added nine rebounds. But ultimately his squad fell short for a second time against Prolific Prep this season.

Peterson looking to challenge for the No. 1 overall ranking

One of the biggest themes coming out of the game was Peterson’s claim to the No. 1 ranking in the class, which Dybantsa currently occupies — and has ever since he reclassified from 2026.

None of the four major basketball recruiting services have him as the top player in the class, but given Saturday’s performance and some major opportunities at all-star games in the coming months, he could change that.

On3’s Jamie Shaw recently wrote this about Peterson:

“He is at his best with the ball in his hands. His ability to probe through the teeth of the defense and draw contact is unique. In fact, that might be the most impressive part of his game, his ability to draw fouls against the defense. Playing with a screen, Peterson is immediately able to get the defender on his hip where he uses his strong and lengthy frame to keep balance and stay engaged with his man. Peterson is able to create shot opportunities, oftentimes for himself, putting pressure on the defense in the paint.

… Even with his positional size and highly productive season, why is Peterson not currently No. 1? Looking toward the highest levels of the game, players who are as ball dominant as Peterson are either supremely quick-twitch (Ja Morant, John Wall, Russell Westbrook, DeAaron Fox, etc.) or excellent shooters (Damian Lillard, Kyrie Irving, Trae Young, Steph Curry, etc.). At this stage, Peterson is neither. There are questions from NBA scouts about whether his decision-making can hold up on the ball and if he is able to play off the ball.”