Kansas guard Darryn Peterson grabbed the headlines on Wednesday evening when he appeared to substitute himself out of the No. 8 Jayhawks’ 81-69 win over the Oklahoma State Cowboys. Despite only playing 18 minutes, Peterson still managed 23 points and two rebounds before leaving the game.
The talented Peterson has been limited by persistent injuries this season, forcing him to miss 11 games and check out of games due to cramping.
Three-Time NBA Champion Weighs In on Darryn Peterson’s Injury Woes
During Thursday’s segment of “SportsCenter,” three-time NBA champion Danny Green weighed in on Peterson’s persistent injury woes, while comparing him to past NBA stars who had the same issues.
“It’s concerning. We’ve not seen this since Markelle Fultz, Ben Simmons. There’s only a few guys that we’ve seen do this, and they’ve had histories of injuries happen,” Green said. “I hope that he is not injured, I hope that he’s healthy. Maybe he pointed to coach and said, ‘I’m starting to cramp.’ But if you’re healthy young fella, you gotta hoop, man.
“You can’t hide from it. The spotlight’s gonna happen. Try to protect your brand. Try to keep your draft status. Just let it happen. The basketball gods will reward you if you go hoop. I don’t like that he’s doing it if he’s not really hurt. You gotta show some physical stability, as well as mental. When you get to the NBA, it’s a different type of animal.”
Ben Simmons, who is now a free agent, was selected No. 1 overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2016 NBA Draft. He has had an injury-riddled career that hasn’t lived up to expectations.
On the other hand, Markelle Fultz, who played for the Washington Huskies and was selected as the No. 1 overall pick by the 76ers during the 2017 NBA Draft, is often labeled a draft bust after persistent injuries impacted his career in the league.
ESPN Analyst Advises NBA Teams Against Peterson Pick
Even before he made his college basketball debut, Peterson was predicted to be a potential No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft class. In his limited game time this season, he has shown flashes of brilliance that have contributed to the narrative of his immense potential in the NBA.
During Thursday’s segment of the “First Take” show, ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith warned NBA teams about drafting the injury-prone Peterson on draft night.
“Let me say this. There is no team in hell that should grab Darryn Peterson at No. 1,” Smith said. “You cannot do it. The first ability is availability. This guy is a sensational player… this is business. I can’t trust him. You cannot be trusted.
“The NBA is a business, it’s 82 regular-season games… you’re invoking your own load management. You are a freshman in college. How can I trust you? How can I invest in you?”
The 2026 NBA Draft class is projected to be one of the deepest and most talented in recent times, and Peterson is often held up against Duke Blue Devils forward Cameron Boozer and BYU Cougars star AJ Dybantsa as potential No. 1 picks on draft night.
