Kansas star freshman Darryn Peterson is still the No. 1 overall pick in CBS Sports’ latest 2026 NBA mock draft, even after missing 11 games this season.
Peterson has been sidelined at different points with a hamstring injury, cramps and brief sickness, but none of it has shaken his standing at the top of the 2026 class. When he has been on the floor, he has looked every bit like the best prospect in college basketball.
The 6-foot-6 guard is averaging 20.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.7 assists while shooting nearly 49 percent from the field. In CBS Sports’ mock scenario, he is projected to go No. 1 overall to the Sacramento Kings. The evaluation is simple. He has size, skill, shot making ability and the confidence to take over games.
Even with the missed time, scouts remain sold on his upside. Peterson can score at all three levels, create his own shot and defend multiple positions. His blend of strength and smoothness makes him difficult to guard, and he has shown poise late in games that stands out for a freshman.
The injuries have been frustrating but not concerning long-term. None of them are viewed as serious, and he has returned looking like himself each time.
At this point, the message is clear. Eleven missed games have not changed anything. Darryn Peterson is still the top name on the board.
Here is why Peterson missed the Jayhawks showdown vs. No. 1 Arizona Monday night:
Kansas Star Freshman Darryn Peterson Late Scratch Vs. No. 1 Arizona Due To Flu-Like Symptoms
No. 9 Kansas men's basketball took down the undefeated and No. 1 Arizona last night at Allen Fieldhouse. Despite being without a key contributor, the Jayhawks got it done. Star freshman guard Darryn Peterson missed his 11th game of the season, this time due to 'flu-like' symptoms.
Peterson was never listed on the Big 12 Conference availability report for the game, but was ruled out very close to tipoff. He was seen warming up before the game, but did not take the court with the rest of his team during the second round of warmups.
“We don't know if it's the flu, it’s flu-like symptoms, at least that’s what I was told," Kansas head coach Bill Self said postgame. "He didn’t practice yesterday, but we hoped he could play today. He came out for shootaround and wasn’t able to go. We didn’t know until about 7 or 7:30 that he probably wouldn’t be able to go. Yesterday we knew it was 50-50.”
Teams never want to lose their number one option, a half hour before a game, but if there is any silver lining, the Jayhawks know how to play without Peterson. He has now missed 11 games this season, mostly because of a hamstring injury and cramping issues.
“I didn’t have to do much," Self said on preparing without Peterson. "They did that on their own. One thing about Darryn that’s been positive is that we’ve played without him and sometimes been more aggressive individually. We’re not as good, but we’re more aggressive. Down the stretch, Melvin getting 25 shots, Flor’s aggressiveness, Bryson, I don’t know that we play that aggressively if Darryn’s in because he gets a lot of those touches.”
Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd was asked about playing the Jayhawks without Peterson and wanted to make sure that wasn't the spotlight of Kansas' big win.
“Let’s not make this about Darryn Peterson," Lloyd said postgame. "They beat the number one team in the country at home tonight, they did a hell of a job, and their coach did a hell of a job; that should be the story.”
The Big 12 requires player availability reports before every game; the process is new this season. self talked about why Peterson wasn't listed on the report.
“We thought he’d go. We thought adrenaline would kick in. He tried, but he just couldn’t.”
Kansas will now have time to rest before heading to Ames to face No. 5 Iowa State on Saturday.