Some questions about Canton native Darryn Peterson's highly anticipated rookie season with the Utah Jazz were answered when the NBA released its full 2026-27 schedule on Thursday, Aug. 13.
The former Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy star and the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, Peterson learned when he is set to face his hometown Cavaliers, fellow Northeast Ohio natives LeBron James and CJ McCollum and top draft selection AJ Dybantsa.
Here are some key games on the schedule for Peterson:
When will Darryn Peterson play the Cleveland Cavaliers?
Peterson and the Jazz are slated to face the Cavs twice, Dec. 20 in Cleveland and Feb. 1 in Utah.
You can bet Peterson will have a strong contingent of family and friends in attendance when the Jazz visit Rocket Arena shortly before Christmas.
When will Darryn Peterson face LeBron James?
Peterson will encounter Akron native LeBron James when the Jazz meet the Philadelphia 76ers on March 8 in Philly and March 23 in Utah.
Peterson's head coach at CVCA, Matt Futch, is an Akron native and friend of James. Futch and Peterson's father, Darryl Peterson II, were University of Akron basketball teammates.
Twenty-three years before the Jazz picked Peterson, the Cavs drafted James first overall out of St. Vincent-St. Mary High School.
NBA draft grade: Darryn Peterson to Utah Jazz analysis
When will Darryn Peterson play CJ McCollum?
Peterson and fellow Canton native CJ McCollum are scheduled to meet when the Jazz face the Atlanta Hawks on March 17 in Utah and March 27 in Atlanta.
At GlenOak High School, McCollum played for Jack Greynolds Jr. At one of Greynolds' other coaching stops, he guided Futch at Buchtel.
Darryn Peterson news: Canton-born star will make 'instant impact' in NBA, coach says
When will Darryn Peterson and AJ Dybantsa play against each other as NBA rookies?
Peterson and AJ Dybantsa were rivals in high school and college, with Peterson playing guard for Kansas and Dybantsa forward for BYU last season as they competed to become the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. The honor went to Dybantsa because the Washington Wizards chose him in the top spot. The Jazz selected Peterson second overall.
Peterson and Dybantsa are slated to face each other Feb. 27 in Utah and March 6 at Washington.
Nate Ulrich is the sports columnist of the Akron Beacon Journal and a sports features writer. Nate can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: When Canton native Darryn Peterson will visit Cavs, face AJ Dybantsa