Darryn Peterson sends emotional message in NBA Draft announcement

As expected, Kansas Jayhawks star freshman Darryn Peterson is turning pro.

The projected top-three pick took to social media to announce that, following a tumultuous season with the Jayhawks, he's declaring for the 2026 NBA Draft.

Peterson drew some criticism for seemingly not being all-in with the program for most of the season, so he made sure to thank Jayhawk Nation for embracing him and sticking with him through the ups and downs. 

Darryn Peterson declares for the NBA Draft

“To my teammates, friends, and everyone at the University of Kansas, a heartfelt thank you! Your belief in me, your encouragement, and your constant support have been invaluable every step of the way. This journey has been everything to me, and none of it would have been possible without your love, support and sacrifices,” Peterson wrote.

Peterson entered his freshman year as the odds-on favorite to be the first guy off the board.

Then, injuries and inconsistent performances forced scouts to think things through, with BYU's AJ Dybantsa and Duke's Cameron Boozer now also in the mix for the top spot.

Peterson dealt with cramps and hamstring and ankle injuries while also missing games with an illness.

When healthy, however, the 19-year-old guard was one of the most electrifying players in the nation, averaging 20.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.4 steals on .438/.382/.826 shooting splits in 24 games for Bill Self's team, per Sports Reference. 

Durability and his motor will be major points to consider when he attends the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago before June's draft.

From a basketball standpoint, on the other hand, there's no doubt that he has the explosiveness, athleticism, skills and basketball IQ to be one of the next stars in the league.

The Indiana Pacers, Brooklyn Nets and Washington Wizards are all tied with the highest odds (14.0 percent) to get the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft, so he's more than likely to end up in the Eastern Conference.