Peterson ignites the NBA Draft following a dazzling, yet inconsistent, year with the Jayhawks. Will his scoring prowess translate to lottery status?
Darryn Peterson Declares for NBA Draft After Electric but Uneven Season at Kansas
Kansas guard Darryn Peterson has officially declared for the 2026 NBA Draft, ending his one season with the Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball. The move was expected, as Peterson entered college as the No. 1 recruit and a projected one-and-done.
Peterson averaged 20.2 points and 4.2 rebounds per game, showcasing elite scoring ability throughout the season. Bill Self called him the most talented recruit he has ever coached, and Peterson backed that up in key moments. His 32-point performance against TCU and clutch shots in the road win at Texas Tech highlighted his ability to take over games.
His season was not without challenges. Recurring cramping issues forced him to miss time and disrupted team rhythm. Kansas often found balance during his absence, then struggled to maintain consistency when he returned. That dynamic played a role in the team’s second-round NCAA Tournament exit.
Even with the ups and downs, Peterson delivered when it mattered. He scored 21 points in KU’s tournament loss and helped lead an eight-game winning streak during the heart of conference play.
Peterson is widely projected as a top-three pick and could become the highest-drafted Jayhawk since Andrew Wiggins and Joel Embiid in 2014. Kansas now shifts focus to roster building as it looks to replace one of the most talented players in program history.
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Kansas baseball is on a heater right now, and it is not slowing down. After sweeping Nebraska in the midweek, KU is sitting at 30-11 overall and 14-4 in Big 12 play. That has them at the top of the conference standings with a small cushion and inside the top 20 nationally. More importantly, they are playing like a team that expects to win every time out.
This run has been wild. Kansas has won 14 of its last 15 games, including multiple wins over ranked teams like UCF and Nebraska. They also picked up their first ever series win at Oklahoma State, which tells you how different this group is compared to past years.
What makes it even more interesting is they are not dominating on paper.
The offense has been solid but not elite across the board. The team slash line sits at .288/.399/.497, which is middle of the pack in the Big 12. They do hit for power with 68 home runs, but outside of that, nothing really jumps out statistically.
Same story on the mound. The ERA is 5.59, which is not going to scare anyone, but they compete. They strike guys out, limit damage when it matters, and find ways to close games.
So how are they winning?
It is simple. They just keep fighting. In this 15 game stretch, they have come from behind in nine of those wins. That says everything about the identity of this team. They do not panic, they do not quit, and they make plays late.
Individually, there are some big time contributors. Augusto Mungarrieta is hitting .333 with 12 home runs and has been the steady bat in the lineup. Tyson LeBlanc brings the power with 15 home runs and 45 RBI. On the mound, Boede Rahe has been huge out of the bullpen with a 3.24 ERA and five wins.
And the energy around the program is real. Hoglund Ballpark was packed for Nebraska, and fans are starting to buy in.
Next up is Kansas State in the Sunflower Showdown, and that is going to be a big one. If this run keeps going, Kansas is not just competing for the Big 12. They are building something that could carry into the postseason. Right now, they just keep finding ways to win.