Kansas Jayhawks guard Darryn Peterson is dismissing those who are claiming his injury problems are exaggerated.
Peterson missed 11 of Kansas’ first 27 games this season because of hamstring and quad injuries and illnesses. Of the games he played, the guard logged more than 30 minutes just seven times. Some of that ties to ongoing cramping.
Peterson appeared to check himself out early in the second half of an 81-69 road win over the Oklahoma State Cowboys last week after scoring 23 points in 18 minutes. That raised more eyebrows about the situation. In a story published by ESPN’s Myron Medcalf on Monday, the guard insisted he’s just struggling to stay healthy, and his love for basketball shouldn’t be questioned.
Darryn Peterson opens up about availability concerns
“Everyone’s got an opinion on it,” Peterson said. “But basketball is my life. If I could have been out there every game this year, I would have. If you would have asked me last year, what were my goals for this year, I would never mention missing games. So all this stuff just kind of happened, but I’ve got to deal with it.”
Following an 84-68 home loss to the Cincinnati Bearcats this past Saturday, Kansas head coach Bill Self defended his star player. However, he acknowledged chatter about Peterson won’t quiet down until he begins finishing games.
“There is a way to change the narrative — play, finish,” the coach said, per Jordan Guskey of the Topeka Capital-Journal. “Now, if his body allows him to, fantastic. If it doesn’t allow him to, then 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 anybody from having an opinion at a national level or on this level or any level to be quite candid, but I do think it’s easy for everybody to say what’s happening within a situation that really doesn’t know the situation.”
Peterson isn’t loafing when he’s on the court. Through his first 16 contests, he averaged 19.8 points per game on 48 percent shooting from the field. He scored 17 points on 7-of-17 shooting in the loss to Cincinnati.
He has also indicated he will do whatever it takes to carry the Jayhawks to their fifth national championship. As of Monday, FanDuel Sportsbook gives the Big 12 power +3000 odds to cut the nets.
“Let’s do it,” Peterson said when asked what he would tell Kansas fans who are worried if he’ll be available throughout the NCAA Tournament (March 17-April 6). “That’s the goal.”
That would dispel the narrative surrounding the 19-year-old guard. Even then, the regular season suggests it’s uncertain he’ll be available for all of March Madness.
