Darryn Peterson shows pros, cons in battle of top NBA Draft prospects

Kansas Jayhawks guard Darryn Peterson (22) reacts after scoring during the first half against the BYU Cougars at Allen Fieldhouse. Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Darryn Peterson shows pros, cons in battle of top 2026 NBA Draft prospects

By Eric Smithling | Last updated Jan 31, 2026 8:17 PM ET

It was a tale of two halves for star freshman Kansas Jayhawks guard Darryn Peterson in Saturday's 90-82 win over the BYU Cougars.

While the highly touted prospect showed why he's worthy of being the No. 1 overall pick of the 2026 NBA Draft with a scintillating first half in his showdown with BYU forward AJ Dybantsa, the second half could give front offices reason for hesitation.

Second-half no-show casts shadow over Darryn Peterson's dominant first half

Peterson had an incredible start, scoring 18 points on 6-of-7 shooting (3-of-4 on three-point attempts), while adding three steals, two rebounds and an assist in 17 first-half minutes.

He got going early, turning his activity on the defensive end into a mid-range basket five minutes into the game to give Associated Press No. 14 Kansas (16-5, 6-2 in Big 12) a 15-7 lead.

DARRYN PETERSON TOUGH BUCKET ON AJ DYBANTSA

Watch BYU-Kansas now on ESPN and the ESPN App. pic.twitter.com/x0IxjFnanb
— ESPN (@espn) January 31, 2026

Later, Peterson showed off his explosiveness with a highlight-reel dunk as Kansas' lead ballooned to 21.

UNREAL. pic.twitter.com/rMEBRVZq3A
— Kansas Men’s Basketball (@KUHoops) January 31, 2026

He was on his way to one of the greatest games by a freshman in Kansas history, yet he curiously sat all but the first three minutes of the second half as No. 13 BYU (17-4, 5-3 in Big 12) slowly chipped away at the double-digit lead, only to come up short.

The move to sit, whether because of Peterson's injury history or wanting to preserve his draft stock, raises concern. He missed seven games earlier this season with a strained hamstring, another two with a quad injury and last Saturday's game against the Kansas State Wildcats with an ankle ailment.

Kansas star Darryn Peterson will not play against Kansas State tonight, per a source. He tested his injured ankle in shoot around but will not be able to play. The injury is not expected to be long term. pic.twitter.com/GSQ1uncjwG
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) January 24, 2026

The last thing a prospect needs is the "injury-prone" tag, but Peterson's inconsistent availability could scare off NBA front offices, particularly with Dybantsa on the board as a viable alternative at No. 1. If whichever team earns the No. 1 pick views Dybantsa as safer in terms of injury risk while holding similar upside, the choice could be fairly simple.

Peterson could be a difference-maker at the next level. He has been for Kansas when he's played. But unless Peterson starts doing so more consistently, his draft stock could suffer.

Eric Smithling

Eric Smithling is a writer based in New Orleans, LA, whose byline also appears on Athlon Sports. He has been with Yardbarker since September 2022, primarily covering the NFL and college football, but also the NBA, WNBA, men’s and women’s college basketball, NHL, tennis and golf. He holds a film studies degree from the University of New Orleans

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