UPDATE: Kansas freshman star Darryn Peterson will miss the upcoming Players Era Festival in Las Vegas due to a hamstring strain, confirmed head coach Bill Self on Friday. This urgent development means Peterson will not play in crucial matchups against Notre Dame and Syracuse, plus a third opponent yet to be determined, scheduled from Monday, November 27 to Wednesday, November 29.
“We’re not going to have Darryn in Vegas,” Self stated during a press briefing. “Although we’ve reevaluated, he’s right there close. But he hasn’t quite done enough to put him in a position to go out and play multiple games in a short span like that.” Despite his absence, the coach remains hopeful that Peterson will engage in running and cutting drills while in Las Vegas.
Peterson, a 6-foot-6 guard, has not taken the court since a loss to North Carolina on November 7. His absence will extend to six games, raising concerns for the No. 24 Jayhawks as they prepare for the high-stakes festival. The team’s next game will be against No. 3 UConn on December 2.
The talented freshman had made a significant impact in his first two games, averaging 21.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.0 assists. Peterson was ranked as the No. 2 recruit in the SC NEXT 100 for the 2025 high school class and is projected to be the No. 1 pick in ESPN’s latest 2026 NBA mock draft. His potential loss is a significant blow for the Jayhawks, who are counting on his scoring ability.
As Kansas heads into this critical stretch without one of its standout players, fans and analysts alike will be closely monitoring Peterson’s recovery and the team’s performance in his absence. Will the Jayhawks be able to overcome this challenge? Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.
