Kansas basketball had no shortage of headlines last week, and the first full week of July brought a little bit of everything: recruiting momentum, a fresh corporate sponsorship era, a former star taking a swipe at Bill Self, and a troubling arrest involving a former Jayhawk.
The loudest buzz came from Darryn Peterson, who told reporters after his Vegas summer league debut that he wasn’t enjoying his time at Kansas because the offense didn’t run through him. Peterson, the second-overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, said, “I’m back having fun.
I wasn't really experiencing it that much at Kansas. I was off [the ball] a ton.
… I feel like myself again. Being on the ball, that's what comes with it - being double teamed”
That comment did not land well, especially because it left out plenty of context from his lone season in Lawrence. Peterson missed multiple games in the first half of the year and removed himself from others, which forced Self to adjust on the fly.
With Melvin Council Jr. handling the ball, Kansas often looked better without Peterson than it did with him, and when Peterson was available, the Jayhawks still had their share of struggles. He had issues dealing with pressure and double teams, and the season never really found a clean rhythm.
Comments like this only deepen the divide with fans.
While Peterson is looking backward, Kansas is already pushing forward on the recruiting trail. Self and his staff are working the road hard for the Class of 2027 and beyond, and they already secured five-star forward Javon Bardwell last fall. Now the focus is on finding the right fits to build out future rosters, a job that never really stops.
One name to watch is Demarcus Henry, who included Kansas on his initial list of schools. Henry is a top-five recruit, and if he eventually joins Bardwell - along with maybe Taylen Kinney, Kohl Rosario, and Leroy Blyden Jr. - the Jayhawks could put together a dangerous backcourt in 2027. It’s still very early, but Henry is clearly a player worth tracking.
Kinney, in particular, looks like a strong fit for Self’s system. He can create his own offense off the dribble, score, and set up teammates.
At 6-foot-one, he isn’t the biggest guard, but he brings athleticism and bounce. That size could keep him in college longer, especially now that NIL money is part of the equation.
For Kansas fans, he’s the kind of player who should generate real excitement.
Off the court, the corporate patch era is here, whether fans like it or not. The Big 12 announced a deal with Monster Energy last week, and Kansas followed with its own agreement with Ripple.
Both deals will put patches on uniforms, and more of that is likely coming. The look may not be popular, but the money matters.
Those partnerships are expected to help fund NIL opportunities for players, giving Kansas another way to stay competitive in recruiting beyond booster-backed support.
Not every headline was about building the future, though. Former Kansas guard Lagerald Vick was arrested in Memphis and charged with attempted murder, according to ESPN.
Vick played for Kansas from 2015-19, appearing in 117 games and scoring 1,100 points while averaging 9.4 points per game. Given his past issues, the arrest is still a jarring development, and the case will now have to run its course.
In Other News...
LeBrons Next Move Could Quietly Cost The Jazz A Familiar Veteran
LeBron James expected departure from the Lakers is already sending ripple effects through the league, and one of them could reach Utah in an unexpected way. Kevin Love, who has a long-standing connection with James from their Cleveland days, has been floated as a possible fit for whatever team lands James this summer, which puts the Jazz in an awkward spot with a veteran they know well and a roster that is already crowded.
Utah has been carrying a full roster, and the frontcourt picture only gets tighter if the team keeps adding pieces. Love is near the end of his career, so the Jazz would have to weigh sentiment and familiarity against roster math and fit, especially with other options in the mix. For now, the question is less about whether Love still has a place in the league and more about whether there will be one in Utah if James next stop starts pulling familiar names along with him. [Read more 🡒]
Jazz Fans Are Asking Why Utah Got Blocked Again
The Jazzs Summer League plans ran into a familiar kind of league bureaucracy, with Utah seeking permission to have Keyonte George serve on its coaching staff and getting turned away. For a team trying to make the most of July basketball, it was the sort of small but revealing decision that can feel bigger than the setting, especially when clubs are looking for any edge in development and player engagement.
What made the reaction louder was the sight of Derrick White coaching for Boston during the same Summer League, a contrast that immediately raised questions about how the NBA is applying its rules. The Celtics also scrubbed social media posts that showed White on the sideline with their assistants, adding another layer to a situation that has left Jazz fans wondering why one team gets blocked while another appears to move through the same lane. [Read more 🡒]
Scary Summer League Scene Left Bulls Fans Waiting For One Update
A Summer League game between the Jazz and Bulls took a frightening turn when Trey Alexander went down after contact with Caleb Wilson on a drive to the basket. Alexander collapsed on the floor, looked to be in significant pain, and was helped by Utahs medical staff before being stretchered off, turning what should have been a routine summer showcase into a tense scene.
For the Jazz, the immediate concern is simply getting a clearer picture of Alexanders condition after a moment that stopped the game in its tracks. Summer League is built around development and evaluation, but incidents like this can quickly overshadow everything else, leaving teammates, coaches and fans waiting on the next update more than the final score. [Read more 🡒]