Kansas' Darryn Peterson Declares for 2026 NBA Draft

Kansas freshman guard Darryn Peterson announced Friday that he is declaring for the 2026 NBA Draft after just one season with the Jayhawks, positioning himself as a likely top-three selection in June.

The 19-year-old, who stands 6-foot-6, made the decision public on social media ahead of the early entry deadline. In his Instagram post, Peterson wrote, "After much reflection and prayer, I am proud to announce my decision to declare for the NBA draft. This has been my lifelong dream, and I am excited for the future. Rock chalk forever!" He also expressed gratitude to his teammates and the University of Kansas, stating, "Your belief in me, your encouragement and your constant support have been invaluable every step of the way."

Peterson's college debut was marked by strong scoring but hampered by health challenges. He appeared in 24 of Kansas's 35 games, averaging 20.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.4 steals in 29.0 minutes per game. His shooting splits were 43.8 percent from the field, 38.2 percent from three-point range and 82.6 percent from the free-throw line, earning him a spot on the All-Big 12 second team. However, injuries including hamstring and ankle issues,...