Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Kansas Announces Darryn Peterson News on Friday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Kevin Matthew Borba | Last updated Nov 21, 2025 3:20 PM ET

The No. 24 Kansas Jayhawks have opened the season with a 3-2 record, with both losses coming against teams ranked within the top 25 in No. 25 North Carolina and No. 5 Duke.

While winning one of the two would have been nice for the resume when March rolls around, Kansas fans did get a brief introduction to the nation's No. 1 overall recruit and true freshman guard, Darryn Peterson, in its first two games of the year. The Prolific Prep product chose the Jayhawks over USC, Kansas State and Kentucky, and is expected to be the heart and soul of this team.

However, Peterson hasn't played since the team's Nov. 7 loss to North Carolina as a result of a hamstring injury. In the two games he did play, Peterson averaged 21.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.0 assists, while cementing himself as a potential option for the No. 1 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. With Kansas fans hoping he'd return soon, head coach Bill Self delivered some unfortunate news on Friday.

Kansas Jayhawks guard Darryn Peterson (22) with the ball as North Carolina Tar Heels guard Seth Trimble (7) and guard Kyan Evans (0) defend in the first half at Dean E. Smith Center.Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

With Kansas in Las Vegas for the Players Era Festival, Self told the media on Friday that while Peterson is making progress, he isn't quite ready to return.

"We're not going to have Darryn in Vegas," Self said via ESPN. "Although, we have reevaluated, and he's right there close. But he hasn't quite done enough to put him in position to go out and play multiple games in a short span like that. So we're hopeful he's running and cutting and doing all those things while we're in Vegas, but not to the point where he's probably ready to play."

The tournament features 18 teams that will play Monday and Tuesday of next week for a chance to play in the title game on Wednesday.

The Jayhawks will take on Notre Dame (4-1) on Monday in a game that tips at 3:30 p.m. ET and will air on TNT.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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