Is Kansas Jayhawks guard Darryn Peterson healthy? KU’s Bill Self shares an update
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Bill Self reports Darryn Peterson practiced twice and shows improved condition.
- Self warns cramps limited Peterson’s second-half minutes; staff monitors recovery.
- Peterson scored 18 in first half; extended minutes projected at about 32–35.
Kansas Jayhawks freshman point guard Darryn Peterson, who played just five minutes in the second half of KU’s Monday season opener against Green Bay because of a recurring bout with cramps, practiced Tuesday night and again Wednesday.
KU coach Bill Self provided that update Wednesday during a news conference held ahead of Friday’s game against North Carolina in Chapel Hill, N.C.
“It’s looking a lot better since the game as far as him being out there,” Self said.
Asked if Peterson “was frustrated at all,” considering he also missed the Fort Hays State exhibition game and played just 11 minutes in the second half against Louisville, Self said: “I didn’t sense frustration on his face or anything.
“I can’t predict what’s going to happen after he goes an extended period of time or whatnot,” the coach added, “but he’s been out there, so I haven’t seen any issues.”
Self acknowledged that the cramping issue “is concerning because we’re not going to be near as effective him playing 16 minutes a game. But it’s something that we don’t anticipate it being anything that lasts. We are taking it serious (and) feel like we’re in better shape than we were obviously a week ago.”
Peterson scored 18 points on 6-of-10 shooting while playing 17 minutes in the first half of Monday’s 94-51 victory against Green Bay. He hit 2 of 6 three-point attempts before halftime. In the second half, he scored three points, making his one shot attempt, a 3-pointer.
“He played 14 minutes against Louisville and 16 minutes the other night,” Self said, “because (in the) second half, he wasn’t effective coming out. Extended minutes would be more than that. I’m seeing as extended minutes being in that 32 to 35 range.”
Tipoff for Friday’s KU-UNC Tar Heels game is scheduled for 6 p.m. Central Time at the Dean E. Smith Center.
