College basketball recruiting: Darryn Peterson stays grounded as elite programs watch him

When Darryn Peterson arrived at Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy last fall, he did so with a lot of hype and expectations.

The 6-foot-5 basketball phenom lived up to them during his freshman year.

Despite getting a late start to the season because of a foot injury, Peterson was the lone freshman selected as first-team All-Ohio in Division II.

He averaged 26.1 points and 10 rebounds a game for the Royals, leading them to the district final before losing to Cleveland Glenville.

A season like that gets noticed, especially from a player who had some notable scholarship offers even before enrolling in high school. Last August, Ohio State made him the first member of the 2025 recruiting class to receive a scholarship offer from the Buckeyes. LSU, West Virginia, Maryland and Xavier were among others to have offered him before he'd started ninth grade.

LeBron James, John Calipari watch Darryn Peterson in person

As he approaches the start of his sophomore year, some of the biggest colleges programs have made it clear they are interested in Peterson.

Kentucky coach John Calipari and his staff watched Peterson play at an AAU tournament in Orlando.

How did the 15-year-old react to being watched by one of college basketball's best coaches?

"I was just playing my game up there," he said. "My mom and dad told me he was there."

Calipari isn't the only one who has his eyes on Peterson.

At "The Battle" showcase at St. Vincent-St. Mary earlier this month, CVCA head coach Matt Futch said an old high school rival of his pulled him aside and asked about Peterson.

That old rival was LeBron James.

"I told LeBron, it's unfair to make comparisons. LeBron is obviously on a totally different level," Futch said. "Darryn has these intangibles that you saw LeBron have when he was at this level. His maturity.

Peterson said getting attention from LeBron is the ultimate shout out.

Basketball's hype machine for talents such as Peterson can be overwhelming. He's doing his best to stay grounded.

"My family. They keep me grounded," Peterson said. "Being around my teammates here helps me out as well."

"His parents are the key to keep him grounded," Futch said. "Our students here they embrace it that we're all in it together. It's cliche to say he's just one of the kids, but it's true. They want to support him."

Darryn Peterson focused on reaching goals

Thus, the kid nicknamed "Bucket Jones" is committed to getting better and helping CVCA move up.

"My goal is to be first-team All-Ohio each year and win three straight titles," Peterson said.

Where did Peterson get the nickname "Bucket Jones?"

"My dad made that up," he said.

His dad, Darryl Peterson Jr., said it came out of his son's single-minded drive when he was younger.

"When he played AAU ball when he was a kid, win, lose or draw, he would always say 'I got my buckets," Futch said.

Peterson Jr. is quick to notes his son's game has matured, though, Futch said his starting point guard's scoring prowess was exactly what the Royals needed.

"I thought the nickname was fitting," Futch said. "Coming in and competing in my first year here, we would always play great defense. Sometimes, it would be hard to get a bucket. It was a luxury to have Darryn be able to get them whenever we needed."

Darryl Peterson Jr. played college basketball for the Akron Zips

Darryn Peterson comes from a line of solid athletes.

A native of Cincinnati, Darryl Peterson Jr. played with Futch at the University of Akron in the 2000s. Older brother Darryl Peterson III starred on Archbishop Hoban's recent state title football squads and could start at linebacker this fall at Wisconsin.

"Darryl told me to make sure I stretch every day and do my push ups," Darryn said. "He wanted me to always get better."

Darryn was a well-known youth player on the AAU circuit, as he attended Hartford Middle School in Canton. The Petersons recently moved to North Canton. But when it came time to attend high school, the family opted for CVCA in northern Summit County instead of Canton McKinley.

"I just looked at it as doing the best thing for my kid education-wise," Darryl Jr. said. "I wouldn't say it was a mad thing [from McKinley]. I think they knew what I was doing for my kid."

Faith played a large role in the decision as well.

"I thought as they were kind of coming through our admissions process, Darryl and his wife Tasha. They're followers of Christ. Education was a good fit for them as well," Futch said. "They had enough faith in me as a coach that I would do right by their son."

"I just felt like it was best place for me," Darryn said.

Futch noted he's been working with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes to help all his players develop.

The Petersons have bought in. Darryl Peterson Jr. is now an assistant coach at CVCA, while Darryn is ranked by some scouting services as one of the top 10 basketball prospects in the country.

For now, Darryn is concentrating on playing with his AAU team NJ Scholars. Darryl said he wants to make sure his son takes things "one game at a time."

That said, the Petersons are fans of Duke, Kentucky and Ohio State — all of whom have shown interest in Darryn.

Darryn Peterson said he's just focused on improving himself for now, though, a career in the NBA is his ultimate goal.

"I need to work on my body," Darryn said. "Probably work on my jump shot and free throws."

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Darryn Peterson among nation's top college basketball recruits