Kansas guard Darryn Peterson has shown flashes of brilliance that have him hyped as a future No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA draft — when healthy and in the good graces of Jayhawks coach Bill Self.
However, college basketball experts and fans have seen more drama than excellence from him during his freshman year at Kansas, prompting legendary sports broadcaster Dick Vitale to suggest an inevitable separation midway through the season.
Dick Vitale Urges Kansas To Cut the Cord With Darryn Peterson
On the day he publicly announced his commitment to play for Kansas last October, Peterson, who spurned offers from Kansas State, Ohio State, and USC, praised the Jayhawks’ track record of developing up-and-coming players.
He also emphasized that the relationship was there from the start. Self told him how he could use him in his offense and what he thought of the young player, whose playing style is being compared to that of the late L.A. Lakers great Kobe Bryant.
But the two-time champion coach could use Peterson in only 16 of Kansas’ 27 games due to a myriad of documented ailments, including hamstring and cramping issues and illness. There were also instances when he was fit to play but sat out the remainder of the game, and Self did not bother to put him back in.
The issue bothered ESPN analyst and legendary basketball icon Vitale, who offered a solution on social media to the dustup between the Hall of Fame bench tactician and the future top NBA draft pick.
“Sometimes a divorce is good for everyone involved & I firmly believe that needs to happen NOW @KUHoops — the Darryn Peterson soap opera needs to end. It has to be a nightmare for ALL involved — so sad as Darryn’s talent is off the charts,” the 86-year-old Vitale said.
When healthy, Peterson showed why he is considered one of the top NBA prospects who could be picked in the first round of this year’s draft. He averaged 27.2 minutes, 19.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.1 steals per game. Kansas is 11-5 when the Prolific Prep (Napa, California) standout is on the floor.
With his prized player’s durability in question, Self is taking the issue seriously and defended Peterson during a postgame media availability session on Friday.
“He hasn’t finished games,” the veteran coach said. “The bottom line is, there is a way to change the narrative. Play. Finish. That’s the way to get people to quit talking.”
Self responded to Peterson’s performance in No. 8 Kansas’ 81-69 win over the Oklahoma State Cowboys on Wednesday night. The guard went hot for 23 points on 6-of-10 shooting from beyond the arc. But Peterson reportedly asked the veteran coach to sub him out early in the second half and did not return.
On Saturday, the guard suited up for 32 minutes and scored 17 points in the 84-68 loss to Cincinnati. Self saw a positive in the setback, noting that the whole team failed to defend the Bearcats’ offense.
“I actually thought that for the most part, he moved pretty well. But to me, playing is did we pressure,” the Kansas coach said of Peterson. “I think he was out there, and I think that was great, but that’s still not what I’m looking for from an entire team. When you’re playing well, everything is connected.”
Kansas will have a day to recover from its loss to Cincinnati and will play No. 2 Houston on Monday.
