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Darryn Peterson did not play in Kansas’s most recent basketball win. He was a late scratch ahead of a contest with top-ranked Arizona.
The guard was not listed on the injury report despite Bill Self admitting that he was less than 100% in the days leading up to the game. The coach recently defended Peterson amid what he called untrue narratives, though he failed to explain the injury report omission.
Peterson’s freshman season has been put under the spotlight in Lawrence. He’s missed 11 of the Jayhawks‘ 24 games. In the matchups he has been available, he’s been limited.
The projected top overall NBA Draft pick is averaging less than 28 minutes per appearance. He’s been held out of the second half on multiple occasions.
Some believe it’s part of a load management plan constructed by his camp. A narrative has formed linking the off time to the preservation of his professional future.
Bill Self refuses to agree. He defended his star player in a press conference ahead of a game vs. fifth-ranked Iowa State.
Darryn Peterson narratives are false.
Bill Self on Darryn Peterson:
“I’ve read some of the narratives out there… it’s not remotely true. Was his hamstring legit? Hell yes. Was his cramping legit? Yes. Did he turn his ankle bad? Yes… He’s had a string of bad luck. Those narratives are BS.”
(🎥: @JayhawkSlant) pic.twitter.com/DxHwLArwNI
— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) February 12, 2026
“I have gotten on X and read some of the things and narratives that are out there about him, and it’s really not remotely true,” the coach said.
“People create their own narratives… Was his hamstring legit? H— yes… Was his cramping legit? Yes, positively it was. Did he turn his ankle bad, to the point where he couldn’t practice for nine days? Yes… And then, of all things, he gets sick… He’s had a string of bad luck.”
Self insists that Peterson’s injuries have been legit. He is not saving himself for the NBA.
The coach did not, however, answer questions related to injury reporting. Peterson was not on the pregame report despite not practicing in the days leading up to the Arizona game due to sickness.
Why wasn’t he listed?
Bill Self admitting to lying on the injury report! If he’s 50/50, he has to be listed.
(I think Bill is covering for him) https://t.co/KLTq17wrh4
— Jason Scheer (@jasonscheer) February 10, 2026
Self said Peterson was 50/50 but did not list him as a gametime decision.
The omission created doubts as to whether the sickness was legitimate. Was he truly unable to go or did Bill Self purposefully hide information?
The Big 12 has made it a point to make player availability readily accessible in order to promote fairness and integrity.
Big 12 reporting states that a player’s status must be “designated as available, probable, questionable, doubtful, or out during the week.”
It also reads that “game day designations are available, game time decision, or out.
That was not done in Kansas’s case. Bill Self admitted that Darryn Peterson was unhealthy well before the opening tip. He did not report.
Bill Self at Hawk Talk on Darryn Peterson:
“Well, Darryn was sick against Utah and wasn’t very effective by his standards at all, but he didn’t feel well. I mean, he’s got all the doctors and everybody working with him beginning before the game Saturday, and practice Sunday it…
— Mike Vernon (@M_Vernon) February 12, 2026
Peterson played against Utah on Saturday. Conditions worsened in the days to follow. Someone told him not to go against Arizona.
Team doctors might not have been on the same page as Bill Self. Still, the coach was aware of the illness. By defending his star freshman, Self continues to suggest he lied about Peterson’s status.