Kansas’s Smooth Scorer with No. 1 Pick Juice
In the 2025-26 season, Darryn Peterson was Kansas’s go-to freshman bucket-getter, averaging 20.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.4 steals while shooting 43.8% from the field and 38.2% from three before injuries and availability issues interrupted his rhythm.[7][12] What makes him special is the blend: a 6-foot-6 guard who can create his own shot, make tough jumpers off the dribble, and impact both ends with size and length, which is why NBA evaluators had him sitting near the top of the draft board.[12][13] The main caveat for any team is health and consistency—he dealt with hamstring, ankle and cramping issues during the season—so the talent is elite, but the durability question mattered.[6][9]
