Coming into what is a generational NBA Draft class, there is no prospect more polarizing than Darryn Peterson out of Kansas. The one-and-done star is arguably the most talented prospect in all of the nation, and he showed that at times when he was on the floor last season. However, Peterson also comes with plenty of questions.
Throughout his lone season at Kansas, Peterson suffered through violent cramping issues that took him out of games frequently. At times, he would miss the last 10 minutes of games or more due to the issue, which was later revealed to be caused by creatine usage. His health is the biggest question mark coming into the draft, but he is confident that it will be a non-issue in the pros.
On Wednesday at the NBA Combine, Peterson commented on the questions surrounding his health.
Darryn Peterson says he is back at the level he was athletically in high school, having finally figured out his cramping issues due to creatine usage. pic.twitter.com/OLUnVqJlyq
— Kevin Sweeney (@CBB_Central) May 13, 2026
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“I feel like I'm back at that level now,” Peterson said. “Obviously I wasn't where I wanted to be with what I had going on, but I feel like I'm back at it now.”
Peterson also said that learning what was causing the cramping helped him get over the issue, both from a treatment and from a mental standpoint. Now, he can move forward into the NBA with a clean slate from a health standpoint after also dealing with hamstring and ankle injuries in college.
When Peterson is on the court, he is one of the best offensive players in recent memory coming into the draft. He played just 24 games, averaging 29 minutes a night in those games, but he still was able to average 20.2 points per game. He can score from all three levels and is a great playmaker, which makes him a very interesting prospect heading into the draft.
BYU's AJ Dybantsa is the favorite to go No. 1 overall to the Washington Wizards, with Peterson the expected No. 2 pick to the Utah Jazz. However, if his health concerns really are a non-factor, it wouldn't be a surprise at all to see Peterson hear his name called first on draft night.
Coming into what is a generational NBA Draft class, there is no prospect more polarizing than Darryn Peterson out of Kansas. The one-and-done star is arguably the most talented prospect in all of the nation, and he showed that at times when he was on the floor last season. However, Peterson also comes with plenty of questions.