Darryn Peterson’s freshman campaign at Kansas has been a rollercoaster-and not the kind Jayhawks fans were hoping for.
After battling a nagging hamstring issue that’s kept him in and out of the lineup, Peterson is now dealing with a new setback. Head coach Bill Self confirmed Thursday that the star freshman has a sprained ankle and is undergoing treatment. His status for Saturday’s rivalry clash against Kansas State remains up in the air.
It’s another frustrating twist in what’s been an uneven debut season for one of the most electric young talents in college basketball. Kansas has played 19 games so far this season, and Peterson has suited up for just 10 of them. But when he’s on the court, the impact is undeniable.
Peterson is averaging 27.2 minutes per game, and he’s making every one of them count. He’s putting up 21.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game-all while shooting an ultra-efficient 49.3% from the field, 42.0% from beyond the arc, and 82.0% from the free-throw line. Those are big-time numbers for any player, let alone a freshman navigating high-level Big 12 basketball.
The talent has never been in question. Peterson’s scoring instincts, shooting touch, and ability to create off the dribble have made him a matchup nightmare when healthy.
He plays with poise beyond his years, and his offensive game is already polished enough to make NBA scouts take serious notice. Despite the injury hiccups, he’s still firmly in the conversation for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
But for Kansas, the focus is more immediate. The Jayhawks are in the thick of a tightly contested conference race, and every game matters-especially with in-state rival Kansas State coming up. Peterson’s availability could be a difference-maker, not just in terms of scoring, but in how Kansas spaces the floor and executes offensively.
Without him, the Jayhawks have had to lean more heavily on their veteran core, adjusting rotations and finding new ways to generate offense. They’ve managed to stay competitive, but there’s no replacing what Peterson brings when he’s healthy and in rhythm.
For now, it’s a waiting game. Kansas will continue to monitor Peterson’s ankle and hope he can get back on the floor soon. Because when he’s out there, this team looks a whole lot more dangerous.
And if the Jayhawks want to make a deep run come March, keeping their freshman phenom healthy might be the biggest key of all.