Darryn Peterson and Kansas were eliminated from the NCAA tournament on Sunday in a 67-65 buzzer-beating loss to St. John’s.
Although Peterson expressed interest in returning to school, the loss likely marked his final game as a Jayhawk. He is projected to be one of the first two picks in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Questions about Peterson and his leadership emerged after the loss.
Why Gilbert Arenas Believes Darryn Peterson Should Be a Top-Two Pick
Kevin O’Connor reported that a GM recently told him that they wished Peterson “had shown more leadership qualities, much like you see developing in Boozer, Dybantsa, and other guard prospects.”
Despite these concerns, Peterson had an excellent freshman season, appearing in 24 games and averaging 20.2 points and 4.2 rebounds in just 29 minutes per game.
Arenas, however, dismissed doubts about Peterson’s draft status.
“He’s one or two,” Arenas said upon hearing the chatter that Peterson shouldn’t be a top-five pick. “Top five – I don’t know why you’re even talking about top five. The guy who played one half, averaged 20 points a game – 20 points a game for a half – that’s how good he is.”
🗣️DONT get fired passing on 20ppg in 20minutes 😂 They can fix Cramps at the next level, u cant FIND dominance and professional demeanor 💯 pic.twitter.com/xAhPpTjaA6
— Gilbert Arenas (@NoChillGilZero) March 23, 2026
Arenas also highlighted Peterson’s cramping issues, comparing them to those of a former NBA Rookie of the Year and All-Star.
“Is the question is he top five because of cramps in college?” Arenas said. “I’m pretty sure the NBA can solve the cramp problem. There’s some bodies out here that produce or waste more liquids than others. You know Paolo Banchero when he got to the NBA he was cramping a lot because they play really hard.”
Furthermore, Arenas questioned the validity of claims that Peterson lacks a strong work ethic.
“His twenty minutes of college basketball is so intense that he wasted all of his liquids and salts.”
Although Peterson struggled from the field (33.3%) in the loss to St. John’s, he helped rally the Jayhawks back from a 14-point deficit with under eight minutes left. He finished with 21 points, four rebounds, and four blocks, and made two free throws to tie the game with 13 seconds to play before St. John’s guard Dylan Darling hit a buzzer-beating layup.
He had 28 points in the Jayhawks’ first-round win over Cal Baptist.
Peterson is the top pick in PFSN’s latest 2026 NBA Mock Draft.
A Closer Look at Peterson’s NBA Draft Scouting Report
You can find our scouting report on Peterson here: “Darryn Peterson joined Kansas as one of the most polished guard prospects in recent years. He stands 6’6″ with long arms and a strong build, giving him the look of an NBA-ready wing guard.
“Despite his age, he already shows the skills of a seasoned scorer. Peterson is a true three-level threat, using his smooth dribbling to create space, scoring well off the dribble, and hitting jump shots with confidence. His balanced style and smart decisions make him just as effective as a playmaker as he is as a scorer.”
“Peterson uses his length, quick instincts, and discipline to defend several positions and break up passes. He plays with maturity, stays under control, and understands team defense and rotations well. What really sets him apart is how he can take over a game without trying to do too much. Peterson is expected to be a top-three pick and could become the cornerstone of a franchise.”
Peterson is the top pick in PFSN’s latest 2026 NBA Mock Draft.
