© Evert Nelson/The Capital-Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Kansas basketball team hosted Big 12 rival BYU on Saturday in what provided a preview into a potential NBA rivalry. Darryn Peterson battled AJ Dybantsa with multiple GMs in attendance.
Those two players are expected to be the No. 1 and 2 overall picks in this year’s draft. Unfortunately, those on hand to evaluate Peterson received only a snippet.
The Kansas guard was not on the floor for the majority of the second half. Head coach Bill Self blamed cramping and conditioning.
ICYMI: Bill Self updated @GoodmanHoops postgame on Darryn Peterson 👀
“His quad just started cramping. And once it starts, it’s hard for him to come back. He’s done everything he’s supposed to. I think this time might’ve been because of conditioning”
🎥: https://t.co/0jg8kaoIzj pic.twitter.com/Pb4toOdPm1
— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) February 1, 2026
“His quad just started cramping,” he said after an 90-82 win. “And once it starts, it’s hard for him to come back. He’s done everything he’s supposed to. I think this time might’ve been because of conditioning.”
Peterson has dealt with injury issues all year. He’s been limited to just 26 minutes per game while appearing in 11 of the Jayhawks‘ 20 contest.
The guard is likely going to be the first player selected in the NBA Draft. He wants to protect his future while still suiting up for Kansas.
His family has laid out a load management plan as he continues to get back to full strength. They do not want his career to be put at risk.
Darryn Peterson played 20 minutes vs. BYU.
He scored 18 points in that limited action. When available, he was the best player on the court. He left, however, with around 16 minutes remaining in the game and never returned.
That absence allowed BYU to erase a 20-point deficit, though the comeback attempt would fall short.
Peterson non-factor in the second half. It’s become a trend in his freshman season. After his latest exit, his agent followed suit.
Darryn Peterson sat the second half.
His agent, Darren Matsubara, did not return to the seat he was sitting in for the second half, either. https://t.co/CJW8A3ouP5
— Mike Vernon (@M_Vernon) January 31, 2026
The agent, Darren Matsubara, was later seen in the Kansas basketball tunnel having a conversation with deputy athletics director for administration Sean Lester.
Details of that chat are not known. Peterson is assumed to be the topic of discussion.
Matsubara spoke to Assoc. AD in the tunnel after the start of the 2nd half. ADD went over and spoke to trainer. DP looked over, raised his hand, and then took a seat. For the remainder of the game. Weird AF.
— Never Again Is Now (@Mikeblumey) February 1, 2026
Was Matsubara reminding the Jayhawks of load management demands? Is Kansas frustrated by his inability to play?
The whole situation is strange as Bill Self hasn’t been able to clearly state the specifics of the injury. In this case, he blamed cramping.
Peterson took to social media amid criticism of his latest absence.
The guard posted about the win after the fact.
Darryn Peterson does not appear to be bothered by the negative narratives. He remains committed to the team with support from his coaches and teammates.
“Darryn’s a great player,” said Melvin Council. “When he’s out there, he makes the game easy for all of us… When everybody’s healthy, it’s going to be crazy.”
When that time comes is yet to be determined. For now, Peterson remains on a limited schedule.
It is not impacting his outlook as a future NBA Draft pick, evidenced by the slew of GMs that showed up to watch him for 20 minutes on Saturday. Kansas hopes to see his role grow ahead of the postseason.