Cameron Boozer, Duke's standout freshman, continues to shine as one of college basketball's most dependable talents. Meanwhile, Kansas's freshman star, Darryn Peterson, has faced a challenging season, plagued by injuries and frequent cramping. These setbacks have sidelined him for a significant portion of the season, raising concerns about his future prospects despite his undeniable skill level.
Former Duke star Jay Williams weighed in on Peterson's situation during ESPN's Get Up. "If I were a general manager, I would be extremely concerned about Darryn Peterson," Williams remarked. "His talent is top-tier, worthy of a No. 1 draft pick, but his availability is a major question mark."
Williams highlighted Peterson's 11 missed games out of Kansas's 26, citing various injuries and illnesses, from hamstring issues to struggles with the flu. "His talent is unquestionable.
It's elite. But I don't feel like he really wants to be there," Williams added.
The conversation then shifted to the impact of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals on college sports. Williams suggested that Peterson's sporadic availability might be linked to the current NIL landscape.
"Maybe this is a byproduct of when kids get paid NIL, and they get money up front," Williams speculated. "It's like, 'Well, if I don't wanna be here and I get my money up front, then I can check out when I wanna check out.'"
In contrast, other elite freshmen like Boozer, Houston's Kingston Flemings, and BYU's AJ Dybantsa have maintained consistent performances throughout the season. This consistency lends weight to Williams' perspective that NBA teams might hesitate to draft Peterson as the top pick.
As Kansas gears up for the upcoming conference and NCAA tournaments, the pressing question remains: Will Peterson be ready to make his mark during March Madness, or will his season be defined by time spent on the sidelines?