The Kansas Jayhawks are in an interesting situation right now. The team is still No. 8 in the country and playing at a high level, but the status of star Darryn Peterson is beginning to raise some concerns. Peterson is a lock to be a lottery pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, but he’s dealt with injuries and general availability issues.
Things came to a head in the Jayhawks’ last game, and head coach Bill Self recently sent a clear message.
Bill Self Challenges Darryn Peterson to Finish Games
Peterson is undoubtedly one of the best players in the country. The combo guard was rated as the top player in the 2025 class and chose Kansas over offers from Kentucky, Ohio State, North Carolina, and others.
In his freshman campaign, Peterson is averaging a team-high 20.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.5 assists. However, Peterson has played in only 15 games, and even in those, he’s left early several times.
On Wednesday against Oklahoma State, Peterson made headlines when he sank a three-pointer early in the second half and then immediately asked to be subbed out. Peterson never returned during the team’s 81-69 win.
On Friday, Self spoke about the Peterson debacle and offered a challenge to his young star.
“He hasn’t finished games… 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 explained.
Bill Self on Darryn Peterson:
“He hasn’t finished games… The bottom line is, there is a way to change the narrative: Play. Finish. That’s the way to get people to quit talking.” 👀
(🎥: @KUsports) pic.twitter.com/71bbB7sD7q
— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) February 20, 2026
However, Self also explained that people have been wrong about WHY Peterson is leaving games.
A common thought has been that Peterson is on a minutes restriction as he prepares for the draft, or that he simply doesn’t like basketball. However, the coach shut those rumors down and said that Peterson does “what his body allows him to.”
Jayhawks Need Peterson for Tournament Run
ESPN’s Joe Lunardi currently projects the Jayhawks as a three seed in the 2026 NCAA Tournament. Of course, the ceiling for the team is unlimited if Peterson is available, and much more questionable if he’s not.
The Jayhawks do have other playmakers, though. Fellow guards Melvin Council Jr. and Tre White are both averaging more than 13 points per game, and big man Flory Bidunga is averaging 14.5 points and 9.2 rebounds.
Peterson is already considered to have a very high chance of being the first player selected in the 2026 draft, so perhaps he feels like he has nothing to prove. It certainly seems like this situation won’t be going away anytime soon.
