Kansas’ Darryn Peterson Out vs. Princeton Due to Hamstring Injury

UPDATE: Kansas’ star freshman, Darryn Peterson, has been ruled out for the upcoming game against Princeton due to a persistent hamstring injury, as confirmed by head coach Bill Self this morning. This news comes just days after Peterson missed a decisive win over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Tuesday.

Peterson, who is ranked as the nation’s top recruit and a potential No. 1 pick in the upcoming NBA draft, has been struggling with this injury after sustaining it during a shootaround. Self emphasized that while the injury is concerning, they do not believe it is a long-term issue. “For whatever reason, it’s still sore,” Self stated. “As long as it’s still this sore and limits him at all, there’s no reason to put him out there yet.”

The urgency surrounding Peterson’s condition is heightened as Kansas prepares for a series of high-stakes matchups. Next week, the Jayhawks will face off against No. 4 Duke in the Champions Classic on Tuesday, followed by games against Notre Dame and Syracuse in Las Vegas. The team will also host third-ranked UConn on December 2, along with upcoming clashes against Missouri and N.C. State before entering Big 12 play.

In his short college career, Peterson has made a significant impact, scoring 21 points in just 22 minutes during his debut against Green Bay and following it up with 22 points against North Carolina. However, earlier this season, he also faced cramping issues that limited his playtime in previous exhibition games, raising concerns about his durability.

When asked if he was worried about Peterson’s absence, Self responded, “Right now, a couple of days, I’m not.” He added that Peterson was able to practice the day before Tuesday’s game but noted that the tightness in his hamstring has persisted.

As the Jayhawks look to maintain their momentum in the season, the health of their top recruit remains critical. Fans and analysts alike are watching closely to see if Peterson can return in time for the crucial stretch ahead. Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.