Kansas star guard Darryn Peterson left Wednesday’s 81-69 win over Oklahoma State after scoring 23 points in 19 minutes, the latest injury setback in a freshman season plagued by physical problems. The potential No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft asked to be removed from the game after hitting a 3-pointer in the second half and sitting out the final 17:22 due to cramps.
Bill Self said he didn’t expect Peterson to be limited against the Cowboys.
“I thought he was ready to go,” Self told reporters. “But we only got 18 minutes ahead of him. That’s disappointing because he could have had a really big night. But one thing is that it has happened enough times that our boys have learned to play without him.”
Peterson has appeared in 15 of Kansas’ 26 games this season, playing more than 30 minutes in just six games. Injuries to his hamstring, quad and ankle, along with flu-like symptoms, have limited his availability. Cramps also forced him to play the 4:46 final against BYU on January 31.
No. No. 8 Kansas (20-6, 10-3 Big 12) has won nine of its last 10 games to establish itself as a contender in March, but Self expressed concern about Peterson’s recurring cramp issues during the NCAA tournament in four weeks.
“I thought we were past it, but clearly we’re not,” Self told reporters. “It’s certainly a concern. When you play in the NCAA tournament, you’re playing against a team that’s as good as you are and you have to have all your best players available. Yes, all it takes is a day like that to derail not just a game, but a season.”
Peterson is averaging 20 points in 26.9 minutes per game. The Jayhawks are 9-2 in games he has missed this season. Peterson is represented by Darren Matsubara.
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