Will Darryn Peterson play in Saturday’s Big 12 opener? Here’s KU coach Bill Self
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Peterson resumed full team practice Saturday; coach confirms he’s practicing.
- Self says Peterson is 'really, really close' and hopeful for availability at UCF.
- Family and staff agree to delay his return until he feels close to 100%.
Darryn Peterson sat at a table next to several of his Kansas men’s basketball teammates Monday afternoon, signing autographs for 550 first- through sixth-graders who attended the Jayhawks’ three-hour holiday hoops clinic at Allen Fieldhouse.
KU’s freshman point guard, who played in just four of the Jayhawks’ 13 nonconference games because of hamstring tightness and cramping in his legs, has been a full participant in practice since Saturday, when the team reassembled for a workout following a five-day Christmas break.
Peterson was one of 14 players who made it back to Lawrence in time for Saturday’s workout. Paul Mbiya and Melvin Council Jr. experienced weather-related travel issues that delayed their arrival to after practice Saturday night.
But everybody on the team attended practice Sunday and Monday.
“Yes he’s practicing,” Self told The Star about Peterson at Monday’s clinic. “I don’t have any status beyond that but yes, he’s definitely out there practicing the whole time.”
Self was asked if he’s “hopeful” the 6-foot-6 native of Canton, Ohio will be able to play in Saturday’s Big 12 Conference opener at UCF. Tipoff is 1 p.m. Central Time at Addition Financial Arena in Orlando. KU is 10-3, UCF 11-1.
“I’m just going to go with what everybody believes to be what’s best,” Self said. “I’ve been in agreement with everybody so far, but it’s getting to the point now where you know it’s — I think he’s really, really close — and hopefully he’ll feel really good the rest of this week of practice.”
Self had no additional comment about Peterson’s status. Peterson last played Dec. 13 at North Carolina State. He has missed the Jayhawks’ past two games, wins over Towson and Davidson.
After the Davidson game, Self said: “I think he’s doing well. They (family members) are going to make a decision. You know, they made a decision, which I don’t disagree with it at all, that they want him to be as close to 100% as possible when he comes back. He’s just not quite there yet. It’s a day-to-day deal. He will be (OK). I wish he could have played tonight, but fact of the matter, other guys got some run and they did well.
“The thing about it is, we talked about this. We are in agreement with the family that he should not play until he feels good. We are in agreement. I’m not inside his head or his body that I can determine if he feels good enough or not. That’s up to him. He wants to be out there, but he’s just not quite ready.”
This story was originally published December 29, 2025 at 4:54 PM.
