KU’s Bill Self rejects critical takes regarding Darryn Peterson: ‘He loves ball’
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Self defends Peterson’s commitment and work ethic amid criticism.
- Self cites illness and injuries—not load management—for missed minutes.
- Peterson to finish games to change the national narrative?
Kansas Jayhawks men’s basketball coach Bill Self disagrees with pundits questioning Darryn Peterson’s commitment to the sport.
Peterson, the talented one-and-done college player, has missed 11 of KU’s 26 games during the 2025-26 season — and removed himself during the second half of many more — because of cramping or tightness in his hamstrings.
“I don’t know that we’ve had a guy that studies the game, has prepared himself for this, more so than what Darryn Peterson has,” Self said Friday at a news conference held in advance of Saturday’s KU-Cincinnati game at Allen Fieldhouse (noon, CBS).
“He loves ball. He can’t get enough of ball,” Self continued. “I think those are the things that are probably hurtful as much as anything, to say those type of things.”
Self was asked about the recent reaction from some nationally to Peterson’s playing just three minutes in the second half of Wednesday’s 81-69 win at Oklahoma State. Peterson exited early in the second half after scoring 20 points in 15 minutes during the first half and hitting a big 3-pointer early in the second.
“Nobody’s put more time in outside of practice, working on their game on an individual level than probably what he has over a lifetime,” Self said. “I don’t think it’d even be close. So I don’t buy those (not having love of the game) scenarios at all.
“But there’s a way to get rid of those scenarios. And he knows that, and I know that, and that’s what he’s going to deal with.”
Self was referring to being available the entire 40 minutes, as Peterson was against Texas Tech and Utah in early February. He sat out the Jayhawks’ next game, against Arizona on Feb. 9, because of flu-like symptoms.
Peterson’s other problems this season have included hamstring tightness, cramps and an ankle sprain.
“If he wasn’t for sure top pick in an NBA Draft, regardless of where that is, would anybody even be talking about this in the way they are? Maybe they would,” Self said, “but I certainly doubt it.”
Self said he fully expected Peterson to play against Cincinnati noting, “We haven’t had any issues at practice whatsoever (regarding availability this season).”
Self did not cite any particular comments from national sports-talk shows and panel discussions regarding Peterson. But Stephen A. Smith is one commentator who said Peterson’s availability situation should negatively affect his draft stock.
“The bottom line is there is a way to change the narrative. You know, play, finish.” Self said. “Now, if his body allows him to (finish), fantastic. If it doesn’t allow him to, then, you know, they’ll say something again the next game. But that’s the way to get people to quit talking.
“It’s not me saying it’s not fair. I don’t think that really keeps having anybody from having an opinion on it at a national level or on this level or any level, to be quite candid.”
Of Peterson being a hot topic of conversation since the OSU game, Self added: “I do think that it’s easy for everybody to say what’s happening within a situation that really doesn’t know the situation but don’t we all do that? Don’t we all have comments on politics, on what positively should be done, and we don’t actually know anything about what’s really going on and why certain things happen?
“That’s the way of the world. And those guys are paid not to talk about our team, or Darryn, but they’re paid to speak their opinions based on what they know from a sports standpoint.”
Self said the national conversation about Peterson, which roiled all day Thursday into Friday, “is not a distraction for me as much as it would be for him, and maybe it is for our players. I don’t believe it is, though, but for Darryn, obviously it would be, because I’ve heard some of the things that were said.
“The things are said that are said nationally, from the perspective in which they say it, is it fair, or are a lot of the things that they said actually true? He hasn’t finished games. The reasons why they say he hasn’t finished games is 100% false. At least in 70-80% of the reasons why with what they’ve said that I’ve. heard.
“I can’t say 100% of everything (said) would be false,” Self said, “but that’s the narrative that’s being put out there. You can’t argue he hasn’t finished games consistently. The reasons why he hasn’t finished, or he’s saving himself or the NBA, or load management or that kind of stuff that, to me, that couldn’t be more false from that regard.”
Self said KU teammates are fond of Peterson.
“So much has been made of DP, but I don’t believe so much has been made of that with our guys,” Self said. “Our guys like Darryn and Darryn likes our guys. However it’s spun, it’s spun ... but I do think this is a close team.”
This story was originally published February 20, 2026 at 3:30 PM.
