As March Madness continues, NBA teams are closely evaluating prospects in high-pressure situations, with Kansas guard Darryn Peterson remaining one of the most discussed players in the 2026 draft class.
Once viewed as a near lock for a top-three pick, Peterson’s stock is now less certain. Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo Sports notes that inconsistency, health issues, and questions about his approach have made his draft range more open than expected.
A lingering hamstring injury and limited offensive support from teammates also played a role in his uneven season.
“I was hurt for the majority of the year,” Peterson said. “I went through some really bad stuff. I wasn’t really myself for real until like the end of the year.”
Even so, Peterson’s scoring, defensive playmaking, and ability to draw fouls still stand out.
The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie adds that he could be picked anywhere from first to fifth, while also questioning how Kansas coach Bill Self used him, often in an off-ball role that may not have maximized his strengths.
Draft Notes: Peterson, Dybantsa, Mullins, Graves https://t.co/1uhFvnklCa pic.twitter.com/RPoBvostpH
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) March 25, 2026
