Kansas freshman guard Darryn Peterson, widely regarded as the projected No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, will be sidelined for the "immediate future" due to a hamstring injury, according to Kansas head coach Bill Self. This announcement came after Kansas’ 76-57 victory over Princeton on Saturday. Peterson has already missed the team’s last two games because of this injury, and his availability for a highly anticipated upcoming game against No. 4 Duke next Tuesday remains uncertain.
Coach Self expressed caution regarding the timeline for Peterson’s return, noting, “We’re not obviously gonna have him, you know, at least for the immediate future. I just don’t know how long that'll be.” Peterson’s absence is a significant blow to the Jayhawks, who currently hold the No. 25 spot in the AP Top 25 rankings, as he has quickly become a cornerstone of their offense.
Peterson entered the college basketball scene with significant buzz, being one of the most highly regarded guard prospects to come out of the high school ranks in several years. He made an immediate impact in his collegiate debut against Green Bay earlier this month, scoring 21 points along with four rebounds and three assists. In his most recent game before the injury sidelined him, Peterson recorded a season-high 22 points in a road loss to North Carolina, showcasing his scoring ability against a top-tier opponent.
Despite his impressive performances, Peterson has been dealing with a lingering hamstring issue for several weeks. Coach Self revealed earlier in the week that while Peterson has been playing through the discomfort, the injury has clearly affected him. Peterson did not finish an exhibition game against Louisville due to cramping problems and also had to exit the second half of the Green Bay game for similar reasons. Self explained, “He’s played with it, but it’s still sore. The medical staff and everybody think it’s something that’s healing and getting better. But the reality of it is, after the Carolina game, you guys remember that first burst that he had when he stole the ball and had the layup first two points of the game? He didn’t do anything bad to it, but he said it just felt different since then, like tight. That’s all it is, is tightness.”
Peterson’s injury comes at a crucial time for Kansas, as he is not only their leading scorer but also their primary ball handler and playmaker. The Jayhawks have struggled to generate offense without him on the floor, and the team will now lean more heavily on veteran guard Tre White, a transfer from Illinois, who is averaging 10 points per game and serves as the team’s third-leading scorer. Second-year forward Flory Bidunga has also stepped up offensively, but the void left by Peterson’s absence is significant.
Beyond college basketball, Peterson’s profile is soaring on the national stage. According to FanDuel odds, he sits fourth in National Player of the Year projections at +950, trailing only Duke’s Cameron Boozer, Texas Tech’s JT Toppin, and Purdue’s Braden Smith. More notably, Peterson is emerging as a top candidate to be the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft next summer. While the draft’s top selections often feature forwards, wings, and big men, Peterson’s guard skills and size make him a compelling exception.
CBS Sports’ NBA Draft prospect rankings by Adam Finkelstein recently placed Peterson at No. 1, ahead of other top prospects like BYU’s AJ Dybantsa and Duke’s Cameron Boozer, both of whom project more as wings or forwards at the NBA level. Peterson was also the top-ranked prospect in last year’s recruiting class and remains at the pinnacle as the 2026 draft cycle begins. His combination of size, length, strength, and shot creation stands out among his peers, making him potentially the best domestic guard prospect seen in several years.
Peterson’s game is characterized by his versatility and playmaking ability. He is a big guard who can create his own shot and score from multiple areas on the court. His shooting efficiency, particularly from beyond the arc, has been impressive, fueling speculation that he could be an elite scorer at the professional level. Additionally, his size and athleticism give him the ability to be a tenacious defender, further enhancing his NBA potential.
Historically, guards have been less frequently selected as the No. 1 overall pick compared to forwards and big men