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Darryn Peterson will return to Kansas’ lineup when his family deems him ready.
Peterson, the projected top pick in June’s NBA draft, has played in just four of the team’s 13 games this season due to quad and hamstring injuries. He hasn’t played in the Jayhawks’ two most recent games.
After Kansas beat Davidson 96–61 on Monday, coach Bill Self said that Peterson’s absence is a family decision.
“[Peterson’s family] made a decision–which I don’t disagree with it at all–that they want him to be as close to 100 percent as possible when he comes back,” Self said. “He’s just not quite there yet. It’s a day-to-day deal. He will be [ready]. I wish he could have played tonight, but the fact of the matter is other guys got some run and they did well.”
Monday marked the first time that Self has discussed the role Peterson’s family has had in his availability.
“We’ve talked about this,” Self said. “We’re in agreement with the family that he should not play until he feels good,” Self said. “We’re in agreement. But I’m not inside his head or his body that I can determine if he feels good enough or not. That’s up to him. He wants to be out there. He’s just not ready.”
When he’s played, the 6-foot-6 scoring wing has shown why scouts project him as such a high pick. In four games, Peterson is averaging 19.3 points per game on 53% shooting while shooting 42% from 3-point territory.
In January, Self—who has coached Joel Embiid, Andrew Wiggins, and Christian Braun at Kansas—called Peterson “the best player we’ve recruited since we’ve been here.”
“When you talk about a player and a combination of a player and a prospect, I think that’s without question,” Self added. “He’s a special talent.”
Peterson’s family is well aware, which is why he won’t return until they want him to.
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