Darryn Peterson and the Kansas Jayhawks saw their season come to an end when the No. 4 seed Jayhawks lost in a close 67-65 matchup against Zuby Ejiofor and the No. 5 seed St. John’s Red Storm on Sunday. Peterson came out hot in the matchup, scoring the team’s first six points off early threes. The star freshman did the best he could, pouring on 21 points and four rebounds, but the offensive production was not enough.
Kansas went 24-11 this season, including a solid 12-6 record in conference play. After being defeated by Kingston Flemings and the Houston Cougars 69-47 in the semifinals of the Big 12 Tournament, the Jayhawks were rewarded the No. 4 seed in the East region of the NCAA Tournament. Kansas won its opening round matchup against the No. 13 seed California Baptist Lancers 68-60 on Friday before falling to the Red Storm in the round of 32.
Kansas was led by Peterson this season, when he was on the court, that is. The star freshman dealt with a litany of injury issues all season, causing him to miss 11 games. When Peterson was available to play, he would put on a show. The 6-foot-6 guard averaged team-highs in points per game at 20.2 and steals per game at 1.4. He is expected to declare early for the 2026 NBA draft, with scouts expecting his name to be called within the first three picks.
Following the loss to St. John’s, Peterson was being interviewed at his locker. With his college season over, and the underlying assumptions of his move to the NBA present, the Freshman guard gave a parting reqest to KU fans on what he wanted to be remembered by.
“I’m not sure right now,” Peterson shares. “Hopefully, as a player that will have a place to even call a home in Lawrence, Kansas. A player that went out there and played hard every time he could. Yeah, nothing in particular. It was a great year, I appreciate them for having our back throughout it all. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”
Darryn Peterson on what he wants KU fans to remember him most by:#kubball x #MarchMadnessMBBpic.twitter.com/8fHNypkQY6
— Micaela Dea (@MicaelaDeaTV) March 23, 2026
Peterson will wait for the NBA draft beginning on June 23rd to find out which NBA team he will join.
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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Mar 23, 2026, where it first appeared in the College section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.