Darryn Peterson Shows Why He’s the Top NBA Prospect - But Can He Stay on the Court?
When Kansas faced BYU in what was billed as the most anticipated head-to-head of the college basketball season, all eyes were on two names: Darryn Peterson and AJ Dybantsa. And for a half, Peterson made sure we remembered exactly why he’s sitting atop NBA draft boards.
The Kansas freshman came out firing, putting together a first half that solidified his status as the top pro prospect in college hoops. His combination of size, skill, and feel for the game was on full display - the kind of performance that makes scouts salivate and GMs dream big.
But then came the second half - or, more accurately, the absence of one.
Peterson logged just three minutes after halftime before exiting with what’s become an all-too-familiar issue: cramping. It’s the latest in a string of physical setbacks that have disrupted what could’ve been a dominant freshman campaign. And now, the conversation around Peterson is shifting - not because of what he’s doing on the court, but because of how often he’s unable to stay on it.
One NBA scout summed it up this weekend: “It’s getting bizarre.”
Kansas head coach Bill Self didn’t exactly clear the air postgame. When asked why Peterson came out, Self responded, “I have no idea.
I’m not a doctor, but he definitely started cramping.” That kind of uncertainty - especially this late in the season - raises eyebrows.
The numbers back up the concern. Peterson has been noticeably less available and less productive in second halves all season.
He’s averaging 16.4 minutes and 13.8 points before the break, but just 10.2 minutes and 7.5 points after it. Out of Kansas’ 21 games, he’s suited up for only 11 - battling through a hamstring issue, quad cramps, a tough ankle injury, and now another bout of cramping.
The on-again, off-again nature of his season has NBA scouts asking questions - not about his talent, which remains elite, but about everything else. Ironically, while uncertainty swirls around his health, there’s more clarity than ever about his on-court ceiling. One scout put it plainly: “If he’s doing stuff like this without being 100%, he’s even better than I thought.”
Still, the question looming over the draft isn’t whether Peterson is the most talented player available - it’s whether his body (and maybe his camp) will let him show it consistently.
History offers cautionary tales. Joel Embiid, once a Kansas standout himself, slipped to No. 3 in the draft due to injury concerns.
He’s since become an MVP - but also a player whose availability is a constant storyline. Zion Williamson, another generational talent, has seen his career trajectory shaped as much by injuries as by his undeniable skill.
Now, with Cameron Boozer and AJ Dybantsa also in the mix, front offices are weighing the risk-reward equation of drafting Peterson first overall.
There are a few schools of thought forming around his inconsistent availability.
One theory: there could be underlying medical concerns. But thanks to the NBA’s new collective bargaining agreement, teams picking at the top will have full access to his medical records - a big change from years past and a potential game-changer in how teams assess risk.
Another interpretation floating around: that Peterson’s limited minutes might be more about management than medicals. Some scouts and insiders are wondering aloud if his agent, Darren Matsubara, and his father, Darryl Peterson, are being overly cautious - perhaps even pulling strings behind the scenes.
That theory gained traction after Kansas Deputy AD Sean Lester was seen speaking directly to Peterson during a stoppage in Saturday’s game. There are reports - unconfirmed - that Lester also spoke with Matsubara in the tunnel beforehand.
It’s not often you see a school administrator step in during a timeout to talk to a player. That moment, caught on video, has only fueled speculation.
And then there’s the toughest question of all - the one scouts are whispering behind closed doors: What’s Peterson’s pain tolerance? Is he hurt or injured?
Can he push through the little stuff? In today’s NBA, availability is a skill.
If Peterson can’t stay on the court - physically or mentally - that’s something teams have to weigh heavily.
Adding another layer to the situation is the idea that Self may not be able to speak freely about what’s really going on. One scout noted, “It’s obvious he can’t say what he wants to say.” Peterson has bounced between “in” and “out” of the lineup multiple times this season, and yet, he’s not listed on the injury report for Monday’s matchup against Texas Tech.
So where does that leave us?
Peterson’s talent is undeniable. If anything, he’s exceeded expectations when he’s been healthy. But the uncertainty - the injuries, the management, the mystery - has scouts, fans, and analysts asking questions that don’t have easy answers.
To quiet the noise, Peterson needs two things: stay healthy, and keep dominating. The second part?
That’s the easy one. The first?
That’s what could define his draft stock - and the early years of his NBA career.