Today is the 28.02.2026 and we’re diving into the latest on Kansas freshman basketball sensation, Darryn Peterson. The young athlete made headlines recently when he missed a game against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi due to a hamstring injury sustained during a shootaround. Coach Bill Self remains optimistic, believing that this injury won’t keep Peterson out of the starting lineup for long. The Jayhawks, currently ranked No. 25, managed to win the game 77-46, demonstrating their depth despite Peterson’s absence.

In the game, Kansas showcased a solid performance, leading 38-18 at halftime and keeping control throughout the second half. Kohl Rosario led the scoring with 16 points, while Flory Bidunga added 12 points, and both Tre White and Bryson Tiller contributed with 11 points each. This victory came on the heels of Peterson’s impressive start to the season, where he scored 21 points in his college debut against Green Bay and followed it up with 22 points against North Carolina. However, he has faced some challenges with cramping issues earlier this season, which limited his play in exhibition games. Coach Self clarified that the current issue is hamstring tightness, distinguishing it from cramping. The team has a busy schedule ahead, including games against Princeton, No. 4 Duke, and a trip to Las Vegas to face Notre Dame and Syracuse. They will also host No. 3 UConn at Allen Fieldhouse on December 2. Self emphasized the importance of not risking Peterson’s health for the long season ahead.

A Rising Star

Darryn Peterson, born on January 17, 2007, in Canton, Ohio, is not just another player on the Kansas Jayhawks; he’s a standout talent in the Big 12 Conference. His family has a rich athletic background, with his father, Darryl Peterson II, playing basketball at the University of Akron, and his older brother, Darryl Peterson III, excelling in football at the University of Wisconsin.

Peterson’s basketball journey began in earnest during his freshman year, where he averaged an impressive 26.1 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game, leading his team to a 16–8 record. His performance earned him a spot on the All-Ohio Division II First Team, despite dealing with a foot injury at the start of the season. He continued to excel as a sophomore, averaging 31 points and earning accolades as a two-time First-Team All-Ohio Division II selection and the Northeast Inland District Player of the Year.

Commitment to Kansas

Peterson’s hard work and talent caught the attention of top schools early on. He received his first offers from St. John’s and Xavier while still in eighth grade. By September 2024, he narrowed his choices to four schools: Kansas, Kansas State, Ohio State, and USC. Ultimately, on November 1, 2024, he committed to the Jayhawks, with Coach Bill Self lauding him as the best recruit since his tenure began.

His achievements extend beyond college basketball; he represented the USA at the FIBA U16 Americas Championship 2023, averaging 16.8 points and leading his team to a gold medal. Recently, Peterson made headlines again, becoming the first high school athlete to sign a Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) contract with Adidas and later securing a multi-year sponsorship deal with Fanatics, Inc., making him the youngest athlete to sign with a trading card company.

For more details on Darryn Peterson’s journey and achievements, check out the full article on Click Orlando and learn more about his background on Wikipedia.