The No. 8 Kansas Jayhawks secured an 81-69 victory over the Oklahoma State Cowboys in Stillwater on Wednesday night, bringing their overall record to 20-6 and 10-3 in the Big 12. However, the postgame chatter shifted the focus from the win to star freshman Darryn Peterson, whose early second-half exit raised fresh concerns about his health as March Madness approaches.
Peterson scored 20 of his 23 points in the first half and looked every bit like a projected No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. He hit 6 of 10 attempts from 3-point range and appeared in rhythm. But shortly after sinking a 3-pointer early in the second half, he turned to coach Bill Self and asked to come out. He did not return for the final 17 minutes, 22 seconds.
Self later said Peterson was dealing with cramping, calling it “a concern.” He added, “I thought we were past it, but obviously we’re not. It’s certainly a concern. You get into the NCAA Tournament, you’re playing a team just as good as you and you need to have all your best players available.”
This situation caught attention, with ESPN’s Jay Williams weighing in. On “Get Up,” Williams said, “If I were a general manager, I would be extremely concerned about Darryn Peterson. I don’t question his talent at all. His talent is the number one pick in the draft. But I would take AJ Dybantsa because I’m not sure about the availability of Darryn Peterson.”
Williams added, “His talent is unquestionable. It’s elite. But I don’t feel like he really wants to be there.”
“If I were a general manager, I would be extremely concerned about Darryn Peterson. … His talent is unquestionable. It’s elite. But I don’t feel like he really wants to be there.”
—@RealJayWilliams on Peterson’s availability this season amid NIL dynamics 👀 pic.twitter.com/qXXf4cu5mk
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) February 19, 2026
Peterson has appeared in 15 of Kansas’ 26 games this season. He is averaging 20 points in 26.9 minutes per game while shooting at 48.5% from the field and 43.1% from 3-point range. The efficiency reinforces why scouts view him as a franchise-level scorer. But injuries have limited him to just six games of 30-plus minutes.
He has missed time due to a hamstring strain, ankle and quad issues, flu-like symptoms and recurring cramps. He also exited early against BYU in January for similar reasons. Kansas, notably, is 9-2 without him, including a victory over the then-No. 1 Arizona Wildcats, and has won nine of its last 10 games.
From an NBA perspective, availability often carries as much weight as production for top draft prospects. League executives routinely evaluate durability and consistency alongside talent. Peterson’s shot creation and perimeter efficiency remain appealing. His 6.8 3-point attempts per game reflect a primary offensive role.
Self said the team has learned to play without Peterson, but acknowledged the stakes. “All it takes is for one day like that to derail not only a game, but a season.”
For Peterson, the focus shifts to finishing the season strong. His draft stock remains high. How he handles the stretch run could shape not only Kansas’ postseason outlook, but also how NBA front offices assess his readiness for the next level.
Kansas hosts the Cincinnati Bearcats at 1 p.m. ET Saturday on CBS and Paramont+.
Related: Bill Self Makes Bold Declaration on ‘Best Defender in America’
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Feb 19, 2026, where it first appeared in the College section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.