KU basketball injury update on Darryn Peterson, Elmarko Jackson after BYU game
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- KU coach Bill Self reported Peterson cramped in second half and left early.
- Self said Elmarko Jackson sustained a knee bump but likely will play Monday.
- KU faces Texas Tech Monday at 8 p.m. in Lubbock; game will air on ESPN.
Bill Self had a feeling something was amiss as he observed Darryn Peterson in Kansas’ locker room after the freshman phenom scored 18 points while playing 17 minutes in the first half of Kansas’ 90-82 victory over BYU on Saturday at Allen Fieldhouse.
Peterson, who in the early going flushed a sensational one-handed dunk, completed a driving layup with his left hand and fired a bullet pass to Tre White in the corner for a wide-open 3, “didn’t have the same bounce,” 23rd-year KU coach Self noticed.
“He rides a bike at half and does different things to stay loose. He didn’t say anything, but I asked if he was good, and he said he was. He just didn’t have the same pop as before the game,” Self added of Peterson, who was able to play just three minutes, 14 seconds the final half, failing to score.
His presence was missed as KU’s 21-point lead at one point dipped to four.
A reporter noticed this is the earliest in a game Peterson had to shut it down and receive treatment instead of playing on.
“To me, I have no idea (why that occurred). I’m not a doctor. But he definitely started cramping,” Self said.
Self made it sound as if the cramping issue is the same one that’s hindered Peterson all season. He said he thought Peterson would be able to play Monday night at Texas Tech along with Elmarko Jackson, who suffered a knee injury the first half and did not play the final 20 minutes.
“I have no idea. I would think they would be (available),” Self said. “Elmarko’s getting treatment right now. He got bumped when he and AJ (Dybantsa) tripped in the first half. His tests were better after the game than at halftime, so I think he’ll be able to go.”
Asked about Peterson’s performance as well as BYU freshman AJ Dybantsa, BYU coach Kevin Young said: “Well, No. 1, I thought Richie Saunders was the best player on the floor. If someone can find a tougher competitor in the country, I’m all ears, I thought he played unbelievable.”
Saunders scored 33 points on 11-of-19 shooting in 39 minutes. Peterson had 18 points, three rebounds and three steals in 20 minutes and Dybantsa 17 points, one rebound, one assist in 34 minutes.
“Now, as it relates to those two players, very talented, both of them.,” Young added. “Darryn … when it comes off his hand, you think it’s going in every time, which is obviously what makes him great, and then obviously the athleticism and so forth. They’re different players.
“I thought AJ demonstrated things that he could do as well at a high level. But, you know, it’s kind of a flavor type deal. Which one do you want? You want chocolate ice cream, or you want cookies and cream? You know, I think that when it’s all said and done, that’s kind of what we’re at. But both fantastic players.”
Tipoff for KU-Texas Tech will be 8 p.m. Monday at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock. It will be shown on ESPN.
This story was originally published January 31, 2026 at 8:18 PM.
