Darryn Peterson Just Signed a Shoe Deal That Puts Him in Rare Company Before Playing a Game

The Utah Jazz took Darryn Peterson with the No. 2 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, and he’s already cashing in like a veteran superstar.

Before he even suits up in a Jazz jersey, Peterson has locked in a massive long-term contract with Adidas that ranks among the top five richest rookie shoe deals in NBA history, according to Nick DePaula. The exact financial terms haven’t been released, but the commitment level from the three stripes makes one thing clear: Adidas is betting big that he’s their next face of basketball.

Peterson’s reaction to the news, shared by DePaula, was pretty direct. I am grateful for the belief and the trust that Adidas has in me. They were the first to commit to me and showed how much they still believe in me with this new deal. I am a loyal person and am excited to stay in the Adidas family.

That loyalty goes back a few years. Peterson became the first high school athlete to sign an NIL deal when he joined Adidas at 16 in 2023. He stayed with them through his college career at Kansas, which is also an Adidas-sponsored program. So the relationship has some history, and this rookie deal is the next step.

This puts Peterson ahead of every other rookie in this draft class in off-court earnings. He’ll be the highest-paid rookie off the floor, and it’s not really close. Adidas is basically saying he’s their guy for the next decade-plus.

What this means for the Jazz rookie

Peterson now joins an Adidas roster that includes Anthony Edwards, Donovan Mitchell and James Harden. That’s some company for a 22-year-old who hasn’t played a single NBA minute yet. But the industry has been high on Peterson since high school, and the draft position backs that up.

The Jayhawks guard was considered one of the two best players in the 2026 class alongside No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa. He’s a 6-foot-6 wing who can score from all three levels. That’s the kind of profile that typically translates to NBA stardom, and Adidas is clearly banking on it.

The deal also signals that Adidas is trying to rebuild its basketball footprint. Nike has dominated the signature shoe space for years, and Under Armour has made inroads with Stephen Curry. But Adidas locking in a top-five rookie shoe deal means they see Peterson as more than just a player — they see him as a brand anchor.

Peterson will likely get his own signature shoe at some point, but for now, he’ll be wearing Adidas gear and helping lead their next generation of basketball marketing. No word yet on when his first shoe drops, but the contract is done and the hype train is rolling.