Kansas Star Freshman Darryn Peterson Exits Late With Hamstring Tightness in OT Win Over NC State
Kansas may have pulled out a gritty 77-76 overtime win over NC State on Saturday, but the bigger storyline came with just over two minutes left in regulation - and it had nothing to do with the scoreboard.
With 2:15 remaining and Kansas clinging to a two-point lead, standout freshman guard Darryn Peterson signaled to the bench that something wasn’t right. Set to inbound the ball, Peterson reached for his hamstring and immediately asked out of the game.
He made his way to the end of the Jayhawks’ bench and was quickly met by the training staff. He wouldn’t return for the rest of regulation or the overtime period.
After the game, head coach Bill Self addressed the situation but kept things cautiously optimistic.
“He said he needed to come out,” Self said. “I think it’s just tightness, but I haven’t even found out yet. I haven’t talked to the doctor or trainer about it.”
Peterson had been playing one of his strongest games of the season before the late exit, finishing with 17 points, five rebounds, and four assists in a season-high 31 minutes. But the hamstring issue is a familiar one - and that’s where the concern really starts to build.
The highly touted freshman, who’s already drawing buzz as a potential No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, has been managing this same hamstring injury all season. He missed seven of Kansas’ first 10 games and only just returned to action on December 7 in the Border War matchup against Missouri, exactly a month after his last appearance.
“He’s experienced this every game that we’ve played,” Self said. “I was happy that he got that far, that deep, into the game, because it’s happened to start the second half every other game.”
That comment gives a little more context - and a bit of credit to Peterson for pushing through. The fact that he made it through most of the game without issue may be a small win, but the recurring nature of the injury is something Kansas will have to monitor closely as the season ramps up.
Self didn’t offer any update on Peterson’s long-term availability, and while the team will likely know more in the coming days, the timing is critical. Kansas hosts Towson on Tuesday, followed by a Dec. 22 home game against Davidson. After that, it’s Big 12 play, starting Jan. 3 on the road at UCF.
For now, it’s a wait-and-see situation. But with a player as dynamic - and as important - as Peterson, every twinge matters.