Kansas Freshman Star Darryn Peterson Progressing, Status vs. Davidson Still Uncertain
The Kansas Jayhawks have seen flashes of brilliance from freshman phenom Darryn Peterson this season - just not often enough. Between hamstring issues and cramping, the highly touted guard has been limited to just four appearances in KU’s first 12 games. And while he’s trending in the right direction, his status for Monday’s matchup against Davidson remains up in the air.
“He’s getting better every day,” head coach Bill Self said Sunday. “He’s moving better. You see him at 70 percent and think, ‘Man, he looks good,’ but then you see him at 75, 80, 85 - and it just keeps improving.”
Peterson missed Kansas’ most recent game against Towson due to cramping, but he’s been back on the practice floor. That’s a positive sign, though Self made it clear the team is playing the long game with their young star.
“He’s not perfect by any stretch yet, but he’s gaining on it every day,” Self said. “When he’s ready, he’s ready. So we’ll just wait and see how that goes.”
Peterson’s college career has been a stop-and-start affair so far. A strained hamstring cost him seven games early in the season.
When he returned, he looked sharp - but his second game back, against N.C. State, ended early when he exited with just over two minutes remaining due to cramping.
That same issue has followed him since the preseason. He was limited in the second half of KU’s exhibition against Louisville and didn’t suit up at all against Fort Hays State. And despite being one of the most talked-about freshmen in the country, he’s logged just 22 minutes total inside Allen Fieldhouse.
Still, when he’s been on the floor, Peterson has delivered. Through four games, he’s averaging 19.3 points and 3.8 rebounds - numbers that speak to his elite scoring ability and natural feel for the game.
Even with the limited sample size and health setbacks, his stock hasn’t wavered. He remains a consensus favorite to go No. 1 in the 2026 NBA Draft.
The Jayhawks know what they have in Peterson - a future pro with the tools to take over a game. The question now is simply when they’ll get him back at full strength. Monday’s game against Davidson could be a step in that direction, but as Self emphasized, they won’t rush it.
For Kansas, the priority is keeping Peterson healthy for the long haul. Because when he’s right, he’s not just good - he’s special.