The debate around Darryn Peterson is still on fire after ESPN’s First Take featured comments from an NBA GM that told Vince Goodwill, “If he’s tapping out on minor ailments now, what do you think he’ll do when he gets to the league?”

Peterson has missed time this season due to a hamstring injury, ankle sprain, illness and recurring cramps, which has fueled questions about his durability and Availability. Still, when healthy, the Kansas freshman has shown why he’s viewed as a potential top-three pick.

The talent isn’t the issue. Availability remains the debate, but Peterson isn't listening. 

Kansas men's basketball took down No. 5 Houston last night at Allen Fieldhouse in dominant fashion. Jayhawks freshman guard Darryn Peterson was available to the media postgame and was asked about the recent criticisms and narratives surrounding him and his availability. 

Peterson has missed 11 games this season due to a hamstring injury, an ankle sprain, and sickness, and has failed to finish multiple games because of cramping. This has led to lots of criticisms and narratives online. He posted 30 minutes in last night's win and finished the last two games with a full rotation. Here's what the freshman had to say about the criticism. 

“Somebody has had something to say probably after every game…I don’t really pay attention,” Peterson told reporters Monday postgame. “I kind of have been an anti-social loner my whole life.”

Kansas Jayhawks Star Darryn Peterson Commitment Questioned By ESPN Analyst 

Shandel Richardson

Kansas Jayhawks star freshman Darryn Peterson has faced plenty of criticism this season because of his limited availability. 

Everyone from Stephen A. Smith to Dick Vitale had something to say about Peterson missing 11 games for a variety of reasons. Even though the Jayhawks are 9-2 in his absence, the critics keep surfacing. 

The latest is ESPN analyst and former coach Seth Greenberg. He gave his take on the Peterson situation during a recent appearance on "Get Up." 

"It's not unfair," Greenberg said of the criticism directed toward Peterson from fans and media. "It's reality. I think he loves the game of basketball and he's a special talent but when you playing against BYU and you dominated the first half and you just walk up and take yourself out without any reason or rhyme in terms of what exactly happened, it's a problem." 

The reason for the criticism is valid. Peterson is being paid a lot of money to play for the Jayhawks. He's also a projected top two pick in the June NBA draft. When he's played, Peterson has lived up to the hype. He is averaging 19.5 points in the 17 games he's played but it's hard to avoid the time he's missed. There were two occasions where he took himself out of games, most noticeably last week against the Oklahoma State Cowboys. 

The uncertainty has made it difficult for teammates because they never know if he is going to be in the lineup on any given night. The Jayhawks are coming off an upset of the Houston Cougars despite Peterson being basically a non-factor. 

His availability makes it tough to even consider if the Jayhawks are a national title contender. 

"When you play against Oklahoma State ... and just take yourself out, that's a problem," Greenberg said. "When you have the flu allegedly and all of a sudden five minutes before the game, your head coach realizes that you're not playing, that's a reality. It's nothing more than that. They need him on the floor and they need him to be an active participant in practice to reach their potential."

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Shandel Richardson is the publisher of JayhawksRoundtable. He can be reached at shandelrich@gmail.com