Kansas coach Bill Self says Darryn Peterson must 'finish' games to 'change narrative' of willingness to play
· Yahoo Sports
Amid star player Darryn Peterson facing criticism for missing games or leaving them early due to injuries or illness, Kansas men's basketball coach Bill Self says the freshman guard must take initiative to change the national conversation about him.
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"There is a way to change the narrative. Play. Finish," Self told reporters on Friday. "Now, if his body allows him to, fantastic. If it doesn't allow him to, then they'll say something again the next game."
"But that's the way to get people to quit talking," he added. "It's not me saying, 'It's not fair.' I don't think that really keeps anybody from having an opinion on a national level, or on this level, or any level, to be quite candid."
Peterson, 19, has played in only 15 of the Jayhawks' 26 games this season. But he has also left three of those games early, most recently Wednesday's 81-69 win over Oklahoma State. Peterson has missed games due to hamstring, quad and ankle injuries and taken himself out because of flu-like symptoms and cramping.
That limited availablity has led to questions about Peterson protecting himself for the 2026 NBA Draft, which could affect his prospects of being the No. 1 overall pick.
Self says the speculation over why Peterson has missed games or finished them early is misguided, but acknowledges that such conjecture can't be controlled.
"He hasn't finished games. The reasons why they say he hasn't finished games is 100% false," Self said. "So, at least in 70 to 80% of the reasons why, with what they've said that I've heard. I can't say 100% of everything would be false, but that's the narrative that's being out there."
The Kansas coach asserted the speculation over Peterson's mindset is "100% false," then seemed to say, well, maybe it's not entirely false. But that chatter will only be silenced if Peterson plays and continues to show the talent that makes many evaluators believe he will be the top player available in this summer's NBA Draft.
Bill Self on Darryn Peterson:
— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) February 20, 2026
"He hasn't finished games... The bottom line is, there is a way to change the narrative: Play. Finish. That's the way to get people to quit talking." 👀
(🎥: @KUsports) pic.twitter.com/71bbB7sD7q
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In his 15 games, Peterson has averaged 20 points per game while shooting 43% on 3-pointers. Despite leaving the matchup with Oklahoma State after playing 18 minutes, he still scored 23 points and shot 6-for-10 from long range. Peterson scored a season-high 32 points in a 104-100 overtime win over TCU. That's the kind of production that has NBA teams coveting the opportunity to draft him.
Self supported Peterson, saying that he's dedicated to basketball in addition to being a gifted scorer.
I don't know that we've had a guy that studies the game, has prepared himself for this moreso than what Darryn Peterson has," Self said. "He loves ball. He can't get enough ball... Nobody's put more time in outside of practice working on their game on an individual than what he has over a lifetime."
With five games remaining in Kansas' regular season, along with the Big 12 conference and NCAA tournaments approaching, Peterson has plenty of opportunity to alter whatever perceptions are being formed about him. Especially if that includes a national championship run. The Jayhawks face Cincinnati (14-12) on Saturday before big matchups versus No. 2 Houston (23-3) and No. 4 Arizona (24-2) next week.