Darryn Peterson’s talent is unquestioned. His availability is not. The Kansas freshman has played in just 15 of 26 games this season, and his latest early exit has intensified a national debate about whether the projected No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft can be trusted to anchor a championship run. For a team with Final Four expectations, that uncertainty now looms as the defining storyline of its season.

Peterson most recently subbed himself out with 17:22 remaining in the second half of Kansas’ 81-69 win over Oklahoma State on Feb. 18. He never returned. Despite logging only 18 minutes, he still finished with a team-high 23 points. A reminder of how dominant he is when on the floor. But dominance in spurts is not the same as dependability.

Recurring Exits Raise Bigger Questions

Peterson has battled a nagging hamstring injury, quad cramping, and an ankle issue this season. He also missed a high-profile matchup against No. 1 Arizona due to flu-like symptoms despite participating in warm-ups. Kansas won that game, 82-78, but the optics added fuel to an already growing narrative.

Of his 15 appearances, Peterson has now left early in three games against the BYU Cougars, Iowa State Cyclones and most recently against the Oklahoma State Cowboys. That pattern has shifted the conversation from bad luck to concern.

After the Oklahoma State game, Kansas coach Bill Self did not hide his frustration.

“We’ve had this happen more than a couple of times… I didn’t anticipate that tonight at all. I thought he was good to go. We only got 18 minutes out of him. That’s disappointing, because he could’ve had a really big night.”

Self later added, “One thing about it is [cramping] has happened enough that our guys have learned to play without him, even though that’s not the way we want to play. But that’s certainly something we’re not unaccustomed to right now.”

That quote says everything. Kansas has adapted to life without its best player. That is both a testament to the roster and an indictment of the situation.

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Stephen A. Smith Sounds Off

The availability debate has now gone national. On Thursday, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith delivered a blunt assessment on First Take.

“There is no team in (expletive) that should grab Darryn Peterson No. 1,” he said. “You cannot do it. The first ability is availability. And my brother, Darryn Peterson, I hope you’re watching because I’m talking directly to him, and whoever — his family members, his inner circle, whatever. What the (expletive) is going on? … This is business. I can’t trust him. You cannot be trusted.”

Harsh? Absolutely. But the core principle resonates: NBA front offices invest in reliability as much as upside. Peterson is averaging 20 points per game on 48.5% shooting and 43.1% from three. Those are elite efficiency numbers for a freshman guard. In a draft class that includes prospects like Cameron Boozer, Darius Acuff Jr. and Caleb Wilson, his production stacks up. But executives will ask a simple question: Can he stay on the floor?

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Title Hopes Hang in the Balance

Kansas sits at 20-6 and third in the Big 12. The Jayhawks still face No. 2 Houston and No. 4 Arizona before postseason play begins. With five regular-season games left before the Big 12 Tournament, continuity should be sharpening not unraveling.

When Peterson plays full minutes, Kansas looks like a national contender. When he exits early, the ceiling lowers.That is the tension defining this team. Not whether Peterson is talented or whether he is competitive. But whether he can string together healthy, complete performances when the margin for error disappears in March.

The ability is there. The production is proven. Now it is about availability and whether Kansas can trust its star when it matters most.