Darryn Peterson made undeniable sports history earlier this week when he was drafted by the Utah Jazz—but the real story is what’s happening in his family’s living room. Just months after his brother, Darryl Peterson III, signed with the Los Angeles Rams, the Peterson brothers have officially achieved a historic, first-of-its-kind milestone that no other pair of siblings in sports history has ever accomplished.
By entering their respective leagues back-to-back, the brothers have officially secured their spot in the record books. The Petersons have become the first pair of siblings to join major professional sports teams in the exact same year while playing entirely different sports.
Sports are in the DNA of the Peterson brothers. Darryn is following in the footsteps of his father, Darryl Peterson Jr., who played basketball in Ohio at Cincinnati’s Western Hills High School from 1997 to 2001 before taking his talents to the University of Akron from 2001 to 2006.
The Sporting News reported that Darryl Jr. averaged more than 13 points a game for his first two seasons. An injury forced him to redshirt his junior year. He was a starter for 32 of the 59 games he appeared in over his final two seasons. Becoming a coach to his son for his burgeoning basketball career led Darryl III to take his own career more seriously and to believe more in himself as he progressed.
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“My pops always knew,” Peterson said after hearing his name announced by the Jazz. “Once I got older, I started to believe it as well. All of it paid off.”
According to NBA.com, the No. 2 pick played only one season at Kansas, where he averaged 20.2 points, 1.6 assists, and 4.2 rebounds, despite playing through injuries. He will showcase his talent when he debuts in the Summer League.
Rams Wire reported that Darryl III did not get drafted this past Spring but proved himself to the Los Angeles Rams, who signed him as an undrafted rookie in April. For the past five seasons, he played for Wisconsin and will be able to show his talents for the franchise when the team plays this fall. This sets the stage for their parents to be busy shuttling between watching basketball and football games for both sons’ rookie seasons.
