Kansas Star Freshman Darryn Peterson Still Sidelined, Jayhawks Focused on Long-Term Health
For the ninth time this season, Kansas freshman guard Darryn Peterson was absent from the Jayhawks’ lineup Monday night. And while fans are eager to see the highly touted freshman back on the court, head coach Bill Self made it clear: Peterson’s return won’t be rushed.
“We’re in agreement with the family that he shouldn’t play until he feels good,” Self said after the game. “But I’m not inside his head or his body.
That’s up to him. He wants to be out there-he’s just not quite ready.”
It’s a familiar refrain from Self, who has consistently emphasized the importance of Peterson being fully healthy before suiting up again. The message hasn’t changed, but the tone continues to reflect a careful balance between patience and optimism. Kansas knows what it has in Peterson-and it’s not worth risking long-term health for short-term gains.
Peterson has now missed nine of the Jayhawks’ 13 games, sidelined by a combination of cramps, illness, and a nagging hamstring injury that initially kept him out for a full month between early November and early December. His most recent setback came during Kansas’ win over N.C. State on Dec. 13, when he exited late in regulation due to quadriceps cramping.
Since then, Self has described the issue as more than just physical-a kind of disconnect between Peterson’s instincts and what his body can handle right now. “His brain’s telling him to go somewhere and do it at this pace, and his body’s just not reacting to it,” Self said last week.
Still, there’s progress. Self noted that Peterson is improving daily, and the team continues to monitor his status closely. At this point, he’s considered day-to-day.
Even in limited action, Peterson has flashed the kind of talent that made him one of the most anticipated freshmen in the country-and a projected top pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. In just four appearances this season-against Green Bay, North Carolina, Missouri, and N.C.
State-he’s averaged 19.3 points and 3.8 rebounds in 26.3 minutes per game. And that’s without being fully healthy.
Self even pointed out after the N.C. State game that it was a positive sign Peterson lasted as long as he did, given his earlier struggles with second-half endurance.
“Every other game, he’s had issues early in the second half,” Self said. “So to make it that far was encouraging.”
Still, the Jayhawks have had to navigate most of their nonconference schedule without their centerpiece. They wrapped up that portion of the season at 10-3, a record that looks even more impressive considering Peterson’s limited availability. Both Self and redshirt sophomore guard Jamari McDowell acknowledged that the team’s resilience in his absence has been a key storyline.
That said, there’s no denying that Peterson’s presence could’ve changed the complexion of a couple of Kansas’ losses-specifically against Duke and UConn. In both games, the Jayhawks struggled to generate offense late in the second half. Having a dynamic scorer like Peterson on the floor might’ve made a difference.
Looking ahead, the next opportunity for Peterson to return will be Jan. 3, when Kansas opens Big 12 play on the road at UCF. That game will also mark the debut of the conference’s new player availability reports.
Teams will now release a preliminary injury report the night before each game, listing players as probable, questionable, doubtful, or out. A final update will be issued 90 minutes before tipoff, clarifying whether a player is available, out, or a game-time decision.
For now, Kansas continues to play the long game with Peterson-and rightfully so. The Jayhawks are a contender with him, but more importantly, they’re taking the right steps to ensure their star freshman has every chance to be at his best when it matters most.