Kansas freshman Darryn Peterson is no stranger to the spotlight, but he's doing his best to tune it out. Following the Jayhawks' impressive 78-71 victory over No.
2 Houston, Peterson addressed the buzz that's been swirling around him all season. As the projected top pick for the 2026 NBA draft, he's found himself at the center of attention, particularly concerning his missed games and sudden exits.
Peterson candidly shared, “Somebody has had something to say probably after every game. I don’t really pay attention.” He described himself as an "anti-social loner," a mindset that seems to help him handle the scrutiny.
But on ESPN's First Take, Stephen A. Smith had a different take on the situation in Lawrence.
Smith emphasized, “What he has to understand as a young man growing into manhood is your actions speak louder than your words.” He pointed out that Peterson's frequent absences-missing 11 or 12 games due to issues like cramps and the flu-raise concerns about his reliability.
“That’s reality. Those are facts,” Smith stated.
In the game against Houston, Peterson contributed a modest 14 points, with eight coming before halftime. Despite being double-teamed and struggling to find easy shots, he managed to sink two 3-pointers, helping the Jayhawks rally from an early deficit.
With this victory, Kansas (21-7) secured its third home win against a Top 5 opponent this season. Next, they head to Arizona, looking to continue their momentum.
Stay tuned for more on Darryn Peterson as the season unfolds.