Darryn Peterson and the Kansas Jayhawks took on the BYU Cougars today. The Jayhawks started well, taking a 20-point lead at halftime. They stumbled in the second half, being outscored 49-37, but still walked away with a 90-82 victory.
Peterson led the charge for Kansas once again. He dropped 18 points, three rebounds, and an assist. He left the game early in the second half and was initially expected to return. However, he didn’t come back on the floor and only played 20 minutes in the entire game for his 18 points.
Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self provided an update on the guard. Self said that Peterson had to leave the game because of cramps. The Jayhawks had a big lead at the time he left, which might’ve played a role in allowing him proper rest.
The problem for Kansas now is that Peterson has been struggling with several injuries throughout the season. They’ve done well so far, winning 16 of the 21 games they’ve played so far, and have secured the sixth position in the Big 12.
However, if they end up losing their star guard, even for a few weeks, it’ll cause problems for the program. Peterson’s value in the Jayhawks lineup can’t be overstated. They’ve lost just three of the 11 games he has played.
None of those losses have been blowouts, and he has given his best in every matchup, including the losses. In fact, some of his best performances this season have come under tremendous pressure when his team has been on the verge of losing.
He dropped 26 points against the UCF Knights while shooting over 47% from the field 50% from the three-point line. He is averaging 21.6 points while shooting nearly 50% from the field with 4.6 rebounds per game this season.
Darryn Peterson Could be the Number 1 Draft Pick
Peterson is pitted against AJ Dybantsa for the number 1 draft pick. As of now, it seems to be a toss-up between the two. Dybantsa is averaging 23.6 points while shooting 53% from the field, 6.7 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game.
While his numbers are superior, ESPN’s Pete Thamel recently provided a deeper insight into this race. ESPN polled 20 NBA scouts to ask them for their pick between the two.
“It’s Darryn Peterson for me,” a veteran scout told ESPN. “He makes things look so effortless, it’s unbelievable. His shotmaking is unmatched. He’s the closest thing to Kobe Bryant I’ve seen since Kobe in terms of shotmaking and ability to create his own shot. He’s not the same athlete as Kobe, but no one is. He’s really special.”
Most scouts are putting this at 51-49. It’s a close battle between the two, and some scouts have Peterson as their clear choice.
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