UPDATE: Kansas freshman Darryn Peterson, projected as the No. 1 pick in the upcoming NBA draft, will miss the highly anticipated matchup against Duke on November 14, 2023, due to a hamstring injury. The news was confirmed by the school, creating a significant impact on the Champions Classic at Madison Square Garden.
Kansas head coach Bill Self shared on X, “[Peterson] continues to make progress from his hamstring strain. He will be reevaluated at the end of the week.” This absence removes a key player from the court, diminishing the excitement surrounding a clash between two college basketball powerhouses.
Peterson’s injury is particularly disappointing for fans, as he has already missed the last two games. The buzz surrounding him began with a standout performance in an exhibition game against Louisville, where he scored 21 points in just 22 minutes. He last played on November 7, when he scored 22 points in a loss to North Carolina.
The matchup against Duke features Cameron Boozer, son of former NBA star Carlos Boozer, and other talented players like Dame Sarr and Isaiah Evans, all projected to be first-round picks in the upcoming draft. Duke’s depth and elite recruiting class present a daunting challenge for Kansas, who will need to rally without their star freshman.
Kansas will look to players like Flory Bidunga (averaging 17.0 PPG) and Tre White (averaging 12.0 PPG) to step up in Peterson’s absence. The Jayhawks have back-to-back games lined up against Notre Dame and Syracuse before facing UConn in a week, making Peterson’s recovery critical for their season.
As fans eagerly await the outcome of this high-stakes game, all eyes will be on how Kansas adapts and whether Peterson can return quickly to fulfill the expectations set for his freshman year. Stay tuned as we bring you the latest updates on Peterson’s condition and the Kansas Jayhawks’ performance in the Champions Classic.
