Darryn Peterson, the potential No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, hasn't been playing much basketball as of late.
The No. 1 overall recruit in the 2026 class has checked himself out of several games in recent weeks. Peterson, who is averaging 19.8 points and 3.8 rebounds per game, is consistently the most talented player on the floor - when he's on the floor. But in recent weeks, Peterson, who has been dealing with a cramping issue, has checked himself out of games and not finished second halfs.
It's incredibly frustrating - for everyone involved.
"I thought we were past it, but obviously we're not," Bill Self told reporters after Peterson checked himself out of a game at Oklahoma State. "It's certainly a concern. You get into the NCAA tournament, you're playing a team just as good as you and you need to have all your best players available, so to speak. All it takes is for one day like that to derail not only a game, but a season."
Peterson, for the most part, has stayed quiet - until now.
The former five-star recruit opened up to ESPN about his mindset and what's been happening on the court.
Peterson breaks silence on his season
Peterson is making it seem like it's a health issue.
"Everybody's got an opinion on it," Peterson told ESPN between the Arizona and Oklahoma State games. "But basketball is my life. If I could have been out there every game this year, I would have. If you would have asked me last year, what were my goals for this year, I would never mention missing games. So all this stuff kind of just happened, but I've got to deal with it."
Peterson had believed that he could elevate Kansas to a new level.
"I think I bring a leader and a hard worker. I lead by example, trying to do all the right stuff both on and off the court," he said at Big 12 media day in October. "I think that's good for a team, to see a young guy coming in and doing that. Hopefully, I can try to bring those guys to a standard."
So far, though, that hasn't happened.
Peterson needs to stay on the court to make a real impact.
Kansas, meanwhile, is set to take on No. 2 Houston on Monday night. Tipoff is set for 9 p.m. E.T.
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