Darrin Peterson Addresses Game Absences
Darrin Peterson has faced much scrutiny this season regarding his time off the court. Recently, he decided to share his thoughts on the matter.
“Everyone seems to have an opinion about that,” Peterson remarked. “But basketball is my life. If I could’ve played every game this year, I absolutely would have. Honestly, if you asked me about my goals for this season last year, I wouldn’t have mentioned missing any games. It’s just how things unfolded, and I’m handling it now.”
This season, Peterson missed 11 of Kansas’ 27 games and clocked in under 25 minutes in seven out of the 16 games he did play. Notably, he was absent during the Jayhawks’ thrilling win over No. 1 Arizona on February 9 and sat on the bench during the second half against Oklahoma State just last Wednesday.
In the Arizona game, a clip posted by Barstool Arizona hinted at behind-the-scenes drama, suggesting that Peterson had been unwell but didn’t inform anyone during practice. Rumors circulated that Kansas coach Bill Self had told him to commit fully to the game—or not at all. The source relayed, “DP said, forget it, I’m quitting.”
During Kansas’ recent loss to Cincinnati, Peterson played for 32 minutes but appeared to struggle, slowly walking back toward a group of teammates as game action resumed in the late second half.
This drew criticism from fans, with many taking to social media to voice their concerns about his commitment. Head coach Bill Self also mentioned his worries about Peterson, especially as the NCAA Tournament approaches, where every player is crucial for success.
“I thought we had moved past this, but clearly we haven’t,” Self commented to reporters. “It’s definitely concerning. When the NCAA Tournament arrives, every team competes at a high level, and having all your top players is vital. An off day can really set back not just one game but also the entire season.”
Peterson is considered a likely candidate for the top pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, standing alongside promising freshmen like BYU’s AJ DeVansta and Duke’s Cameron Boozer. However, his ongoing absences are raising eyebrows regarding his future prospects.
Currently, he averages 19.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game, boasting a shooting percentage of 48%. His playing time averages 27.2 minutes per game, which is less than that of Divansta and Boozer, both of whom exceed 30 minutes.
In spite of the backlash, Peterson’s focus remains on performing well in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. “Let’s give it a shot,” he stated. “That’s the aim.”
