The J

In the young stages of this college basketball season I found myself enamored with Darryn Peterson as a prospect. Still, even then it was a bit clear that he had larger things in mind than his collegiate career at Kansas. In his first two college games, he played 22 & 29 minutes, respectively, nothing to really blink at, especially because he had 21 & 22 points in those games that ended in uncompetitive fashions. 

Yet after that game, Peterson, a 19-year-old freshman, missed a month of games due to a lingering hamstring injury that sidelined him until December 7th. Despite missing two more games in December, January’s conference play should’ve been a clear turning point in his season. In some ways, it was. He opened Big 12 play with 26 points vs UCF, 32 vs TCU, and 23 vs West Virginia. 

Not only was he putting up these numbers with high-quality efficiency, but he looked effortless doing so. Part of why I was so captivated by Peterson’s game was the experience of watching him. His effortless style of play makes his irreplicable shot-making and powerful finishes at the rim look easy. He legitimately makes Big 12 play look elementary. This is also why draft boards gleam over him and his shot-making.

Like most things, there is probably a middle ground here. His unavailabilities have made Peterson a concerning guy to put too much stock into. Plus, he is much more of a shooting guard than a point guard, with him having just one assist in his last 74 minutes played (as of 2/21). There are some red flags with Peterson’s defensive drive and abilities (as if any of the NBA cares), but they are far trumped by his 117.8 offensive rating and 41% shooting from three. 

Today, the 8th-ranked Jayhawks lost to the unranked Cincinnati Bearcats. Yes, Wes Miller’s Cincinnati had won three in a row heading in, but winning as an unranked opponent in Allen Fieldhouse is unheard of. Darryn struggled from deep, shooting 1/7 on threes, but still posted a 103 Offensive Rating. Ironically, Peterson playing 32 minutes and adding a highlight reel layup may do more good than harm for the Peterson NBA agenda.

This won’t be the last time I mention Darryn Peterson, someone who has just as many question marks as he does talents.