Bill Self airs frustration after Darryn Peterson’s early exit: ‘That’s disappointing’
By Ethan Stone
Published:
There’s no way to describe the Darryn Peterson situation at Kansas without using the word ‘strange.’
Peterson is a special talent. Those who have watched the former 5-star freshman know that already. If you haven’t watched Peterson play, you should change that sooner rather than later.
Peterson is Kobe-esque and can hit just about any shot on the floor, but what’s more noticeable is just how slow the game is for him already. The odds-on favorite to be selected No. 1 overall via Kalshi, Peterson just glides around and is averaging over 20 points per game in one of the toughest conferences in America.
Just one problem: Peterson, from the outside looking in, at least, doesn’t appear to enjoy playing basketball. He’s averaging well under 30 minutes per game — a number that’s dropped in Big 12 play — and that’s if he plays at all.
Take last night’s win over Oklahoma State, for example. After dropping 23 points in 18 minutes, Peterson turned to his coach and appeared to ask to be taken out with nearly the entire second half still remaining. He did not see the court after this moment:
After the game, and after weeks of this happening in some form or fashion – whether it be leaving a game early or not suiting up at all because he had “the flu” – Kansas head coach Bill Self took some time to let his disappointment be known. Here’s what he had to say:
Kansas is a really good basketball team with or without Darryn Peterson on the court. The Jayhawks are 8-2 without Peterson this year, earning wins over Tennessee and Arizona without his services. But how will this work in the postseason, and how long will Self put up with it if Peterson keeps this up? For now, it appears only time will tell.
Kansas will be back in action on Saturday against Cincinnati.
Ethan Stone is a Tennessee graduate and loves all things college football and college basketball. Firm believer in fouling while up 3.
