The next Kobe Bryant? CVCA's Darryn Peterson compared to Lakers icon by former NBA coach

Sam Mitchell knows the mamba mentality when he sees it.

The 2007 NBA Coach of the Year was in charge of the Toronto Raptors when Kobe Bryant dropped 81 points on his team on January 22, 2006.

Mitchell sees that same mentality in Darryn Peterson, which is why he wanted to coach the CVCA sensation when the sophomore plays for his 16U Phenom United team this summer.

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“He wants to be great,” Mitchell said. “I watched this kid play. I played 14 years in the NBA and I couldn’t even scratch the surface at this stage of my life. He plays well above his level. He wants it. He puts the work in.

“Think about it. This kid is 16 years old. He can use his left. He can use his right. He’s got the pullup jumper. He’s got the 3. He’s got the post up. He has everything. In order to have the skillset like that, you have to live in the gym. It has to be basketball first, second and third, and that was Kobe. Kobe loved the game. He wanted to be the best. I saw that firsthand.”

Mitchell’s words have some clout.

He played in the NBA for 13 years for the Minnesota Timberwolves (10) and Indiana Pacers (three). He served as a coach for Milwaukee, Toronto, New Jersey, Minnesota and Memphis as well.

List of high schoolers Sam Mitchell coached include Jalen Green, Zion Williamson

Mitchell doesn’t come out of “retirement” to coach just anyone’s basketball team either.

The veteran did it for 2022 All-NBA Rookie Jalen Green of the Houston Rockets and he did it for two-time NBA All-Star and 2019 NCAA Player of the Year Zion Williamson.

That’s how serious Mitchell is about Peterson.

“I’m very excited,” Peterson said. “He was a former NBA coach, and that’s where I want to play, so hearing that was a dream come true. He’s been there and done everything I want to achieve. I think I’ll learn a lot. He played and coached against Kobe. Playing for him his going to be big.”

Darryn Peterson blown away by comparison to Kobe Bryant

Peterson has heard comparisons in the past, but for someone with NBA experience to talk about Bryant when describing his game hit hard.

“That’s a GOAT,” Peterson said. “He’s one of the best players ever to touch a basketball. To be compared to him is a great feeling. It’s a blessing, but I know I have big shoes to fill into.”

For the next three months, Mitchell will have control of Peterson’s game as Phenom United travels to country.

He’ll look to grow Peterson’s game in ways the sophomore never thought possible. At the same time, he’ll be looking at all aspects of his life.

“The fact he can use his left and right hand, he’s got all the moves, all the shots, we’re just trying to get it refined and keep letting him grow and develop,” Mitchell said. “As he gets older and stronger and bigger, he’s going to get even better. I really feel like if this kid stays on track mentally and physically, he’s got a chance to be a top pick in the NBA one day.”

It’s not just Mitchell he’ll be helping.

CVCA coach, Stark County stars will also learn under Sam Mitchell

Canton McKinley’s Reed Simms Jr. is playing with Peterson’s 16U squad.

Although they won’t be directly impacted, GlenOak’s Ja’Corey Lipkins is on the 17U squad and McKinley’s Davey Thompson III is on the 15U club.

“It’s making us a lot better because he’s there and done it all,” Simms said of Mitchell. “What we’re going to learn will go far. We’ve got some characters on this team. This is only going to make us better.”

It’s going to help Peterson’s father, Darryl, who is the president of Phenom United. It will also aid CVCA coach Matt Futch, who serves as the college recruitment liaison and NIL specialist.

Both will be assistants to Mitchell on the 16U squad.

“I'm excited to continue to learn,” Futch said. “I’ve been a part of great coaching staffs in the past, I’ve talked to Sam. I’m just trying to pick his brain. I just want to be a student of the game. I’m excited for the game of basketball and appreciative of a good friend of mine in Darryl, who allowed me this opportunity and trusted me.”

Contact Brad Bournival at bbournival@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter at @bbournival

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Is Darryn Peterson the next Kobe Bryant? One former NBA thinks so