Kansas freshman star Darryn Peterson won’t return until he’s “as close to 100 percent as possible.”
Those are the wishes of the family of the potential No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA draft, Jayhawks coach Bill Self said.
“(Peterson’s family) made a decision, which I don’t disagree with at all, that they want him to be as close to 100 percent as possible when he returns,” Self said after Monday night’s 90-61 win over Davidson. “He’s just not there yet. It’s a day-to-day thing. He’ll be (ready).
“I wish he could have played tonight, but the fact is other guys got some time and did well. So hopefully giving other guys opportunities will make us deeper when we get into conference play.”
Peterson, a 6-foot-6 guard from Canton, Ohio, was limited to four games this season due to quad and hamstring injuries. He hasn’t played since December 13.
Peterson is averaging 19.3 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists and is shooting 42.3 percent from 3-point range for the 17th-ranked Jayhawks (10-3), who are idle until their Big 12 opener at UCF on Jan. 3.
Self said Peterson was pushing to get back on the field.
“We’ve talked about it. We agree with the family that he shouldn’t play until he feels well,” Self said. “We agree. But I’m not in his head or in his body to determine whether he feels good enough or not. It’s up to him. He wants to be out there. He’s just not ready.”
–Field level media
