Darryn Peterson Flashes No. 1 Pick Potential - But Second-Half Disappearance Raises Questions
Kansas freshman guard Darryn Peterson gave us a glimpse of why he's widely projected as the top pick in the 2026 NBA Draft - and also why there are still question marks surrounding his long-term durability.
In the Jayhawks' 90-82 win over No. 13 BYU, it was a tale of two halves for the dynamic freshman.
The first half? Electric.
The second? Mysteriously quiet.
First-Half Brilliance: A Star on Full Display
Peterson came out firing, putting together a first half that was nothing short of dominant. He poured in 18 points on an ultra-efficient 6-of-7 shooting, including 3-of-4 from deep. Add in three steals, two rebounds, and an assist in just 17 minutes, and you had the makings of a breakout performance on a national stage.
His impact was immediate. Midway through the first half, he turned defense into offense with a steal that led to a smooth mid-range jumper, stretching Kansas’ early lead to 15-7.
A few possessions later, he brought the Allen Fieldhouse crowd to its feet with a thunderous dunk that pushed the Jayhawks’ lead to 21. It was the kind of sequence that reminds you why scouts are so high on him - the burst, the anticipation, the finishing ability - it’s all there.
Peterson looked every bit the No. 1 prospect. He wasn’t just scoring - he was dictating the game on both ends of the floor. His presence elevated Kansas to another gear, and for a moment, it felt like we were watching the start of something historic.
Second-Half Silence: Cause for Concern?
But then… he vanished.
Peterson played just three minutes after halftime. And while Kansas managed to hold off BYU’s late push, his absence was impossible to ignore.
There was no foul trouble. No visible signs of re-injury.
Just a sudden shift in the rotation that left fans and scouts alike scratching their heads.
Given Peterson’s injury history, there’s reason to wonder if this was a precautionary move. He’s already missed seven games this season with a hamstring strain, two more with a quad issue, and sat out the previous game against Kansas State with an ankle injury. That’s a lot of missed time for a player whose draft stock is built not just on talent, but on the belief that he can be a franchise cornerstone.
And that’s where the conversation gets tricky.
Draft Implications: Talent vs. Availability
Peterson’s ceiling is sky-high. When he’s on the floor, he changes the game. But in a draft class that includes BYU’s AJ Dybantsa - who’s not only immensely talented but has been more consistently available - the margin for error tightens.
NBA front offices aren’t just evaluating skill sets; they’re evaluating risk. And while Peterson’s first half was a reminder of his elite upside, the second half raised the kind of questions that could factor heavily into draft rooms come June.
Is he the best player in the class? Possibly.
But is he the safest bet to build around? That’s the debate.
The Road Ahead
There’s still time for Peterson to put those concerns to rest. If he can stay healthy and continue to produce at the level we saw in the first half against BYU, he’ll remain in the driver’s seat for the No. 1 pick. But the inconsistency in availability is a storyline that’s not going away anytime soon.
For now, Kansas will take the win, and Peterson will take the praise for another flash of brilliance. But with March approaching and the spotlight only getting brighter, the pressure is on - not just to perform, but to stay on the floor.
Because for all the talent in the world, the best ability - especially at the next level - is still availability.