Is Kansas Jayhawks star Darryn Peterson healthy? KU coach Bill Self gives update
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Bill Self said Peterson practiced full speed Friday and should play Monday.
- Coaches diagnosed leg cramping and tightness and plan targeted treatment.
- Self emphasized game management, minutes control and situational decision-making.
Kansas Jayhawks freshman Darryn Peterson, who was held out of Tuesday’s men’s basketball exhibition game against Fort Hays State after playing just 11 minutes the second half versus Louisville a week ago, practiced on Friday and should be able to play in Monday’s season opener against Green Bay, KU coach Bill Self said Friday.
The problem, which did not surface in Friday morning’s workout, has been cramping and tightness in Peterson’s leg.
“He’s fine. He practiced today full speed. So is he 100%? Probably not. But is he practicing? Yes,” Self said. “So I certainly don’t anticipate holding him (out) anymore from this point forward, unless something else happens.”
Self was asked if there were any positives in 6-foot-6 floor general Peterson observing a game from the bench area, considering KU didn’t need him in order to pound NCAA Div. II FHSU, 71-35.
“I actually liked it better when he was out there,” Self said with a smile. “There’s a lot of things. He played 14 minutes the other night (in first half; 11 the second) against Louisville. He had 24 points (in the first half), but he didn’t really play after that because of the cramping and tightness and that kind of stuff.
“So to me, that’s good that we can figure out how to address it and then have him take it serious in addressing it. Because that could be the same way Monday. It could be the same way next Friday (at North Carolina). It could be the same way moving forward.
“But let’s nip it in the bud now, which we’re going to do. I think that’s a good thing.”
Peterson — he had 26 points, five steals, four rebounds, two assists and six turnovers in 25 total minutes in KU’s 90-82 exhibition win over Louisville — is not the type of player who likes to sit out.
“Is he a competitor? Yes, he’s, he’s a competitor,” Self said. “I do think we saw the second half against Louisville when he couldn’t really help us because he couldn’t move in the few minutes he played, he still tried to play the same way, not being able to move, which is a formula for not success — i.e. a couple of turnovers, that kind of stuff.
“There’s a point in time — when things are going your way and when things aren’t — how do you pick your spots better?” the coach said. “So I think that could have been a good example for him in the second half when things weren’t right, to pick his spots more — i.e. if you’ve got four fouls with 10 minutes left, you can’t play the same way as if you have two fouls with 10 minutes left. ...
“He’s got to adjust to that and I think he can do a better job of that. But him playing 14 minutes of healthy ball isn’t enough for this team to win big games. He needs to be out there.”
As far as how to make sure Peterson doesn’t suffer from cramps in coming practices and games, Self said, still smiling: “We’re working on it right now. We’ve got some potion that should take care of everything.”
