Kansas freshman guard Darryn Peterson entered the college season widely viewed as the consensus No. 1 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, but front-office executives are now expressing doubts about selecting him at the top of the board.
Multiple league sources told The Ringer’s Bill Simmons and Zach Lowe that Peterson’s willingness to stay on the court has become a pressing concern. The 6-foot-6 scorer has missed several games and has requested to leave others, including one instance last week when he signaled to head coach Bill Self for a substitution immediately after a shot attempt.
“I’m not sure he goes first anymore,” Simmons said on The Bill Simmons Podcast, noting that frequent cramping issues and other minor ailments have raised “too much weirdness” around the program. Lowe added that team officials have repeatedly asked, “What? He just took himself out of the game?” after reviewing film of the abrupt exit.
Strong Numbers, Limited Availability
Peterson is averaging just under 20.0 points, 3.8 rebounds and is converting 41.3 percent of his three-point attempts. However, he has appeared in only 16 contests and has logged more than 30 minutes in just seven of them, prompting comparisons to past top picks whose injuries or commitment became long-term issues.
Even with his blend of quickness, length and shot-making, scouts are debating whether the uncertainty surrounding his health and competitiveness should deter a franchise from investing the first selection. If Peterson slides, BYU forward AJ Dybantsa or Duke standout Cameron Boozer are viewed as the leading alternatives for the No. 1 spot.
The NBA Draft is scheduled for June, giving teams limited time to decide if Peterson’s upside outweighs the growing apprehension.
Source: Hoops Wire
