Kansas coach Bill Self sends clear message to Darryn Peterson over ducking out of games originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Bill Self isn’t shying away from the controversy surrounding freshman star Darryn Peterson. And he’s offering a simple solution to the problem.
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The Kansas Jayhawks coach on Friday again defended Peterson amid the latest wave of national criticism centered on his durability. But Self got straight to the point about how the projected No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft can silence doubters.
“He hasn’t finished games,” Self said. “The bottom line is, there is a way to change the narrative. Play. Finish. That’s the way to get people to quit talking.”
The issue resurfaced after No. 8 Kansas’ 81-69 win over the Oklahoma State Cowboys on Wednesday night. Peterson scored 20 of his 23 points in the first half and finished 6 for 10 from 3-point range. But shortly after hitting a 3-pointer early in the second half, he asked out and did not return, sitting the final 17 minutes.
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Peterson has appeared in 15 of 26 games, missing time with a hamstring issue, cramping and illness. He’s averaging 20 points in 26.9 minutes while shooting 48.5% from the field and 43.1% from 3-point range.
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With the Big 12 Conference and NCAA tournaments approaching, Kansas’ focus is clear that talent isn’t the question. But in Peterson’s case, availability and finishing could be a serious issue.
No. 8 Kansas hosts Cincinnati on Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. ET.
