Kansas fans found themselves caught up in a whirlwind of confusion this week, thanks to a misleading social media post about star freshman Darryn Peterson. The post humorously claimed that Peterson's NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) contract included a clause allowing him to sub out of games if he broke a sweat and Kansas led by 15 or more points. Despite the post's absurdity, it quickly gained traction among fans already concerned about Peterson's playing time.
The buzz around this fake news highlights the ongoing scrutiny surrounding Peterson's availability. As the projected No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, Peterson's presence on the court is crucial.
However, he's only appeared in 15 of Kansas' 26 games this season due to various injuries, including quad cramping, a hamstring strain, and an ankle injury. Adding to the challenges, he was a late scratch against top-ranked Arizona with flu-like symptoms.
In Kansas' recent 81-69 victory over Oklahoma State, Peterson managed to score a team-high 23 points but was sidelined for the final 17 minutes. This marked the third instance this season where he exited early, leaving fans and the team yearning for more consistency.
Kansas coach Bill Self expressed his disappointment at getting just 18 minutes from Peterson, emphasizing the tension as the Jayhawks continue their pursuit of the Big 12 title. While the social media post was pure fiction, it tapped into genuine concerns among fans trying to navigate the complexities of the NIL era and their star player's sporadic availability.
Stay tuned for more updates as the college basketball season unfolds.