NBA Scouts Scrutinize Darryn Peterson’s Availability After Abrupt Exit in Kansas Victory
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Kansas extended its winning streak Wednesday night with an 81-69 road decision over Oklahoma State in Stillwater, yet most post-game discussion centered on Darryn Peterson, not the final score.
Midway through the second half, the freshman guard drilled a three-pointer, then motioned toward head coach Bill Self indicating he needed a substitution. Self used a timeout, Peterson headed to the bench and never re-entered. Afterward, Self described the episode as “disappointing.”
Despite logging only 19 minutes, Peterson produced 23 points and connected on six shots from beyond the arc, again appearing to be the most impactful player on the floor. The brief but impressive performance, however, added to a growing pattern of limited availability that is starting to concern NBA talent evaluators.
Earlier this season, Peterson missed roughly a month with a lingering hamstring problem. He also sat out a high-profile matchup with Arizona because of illness, even though he participated in pre-game warmups. Those absences, combined with Wednesday’s early exit, have scouts reassessing the projected top pick.
Multiple league observers told Hoops Wire they are beginning to question what Peterson’s professional trajectory might look like. One scout from a franchise expected to select in the lottery texted, “Is he the next O.J. Mayo?”—a reference to a once-celebrated prospect whose NBA career settled into steady but unspectacular production.
Peterson’s talent and background remain unquestioned; he starred at Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy near Akron before arriving in Lawrence. Kansas can withstand occasional missed minutes, but front offices preparing for the 2024 NBA Draft are less forgiving when durability flags appear beside a potential No. 1 pick’s name.
With March approaching and postseason play looming, Peterson’s on-court availability will continue to be monitored closely by teams across the league.
Source: Hoops Wire
