LAWRENCE, Kan. (KCTV) - The offseason is underway for the University of Kansas (KU) Jayhawks, and head coach Bill Self is already focusing on future prospects. On Sunday, March 23, 2025, Self attended a match at Haskell Indian Nations University to witness the Jayhawks’ top signee, Darryn Peterson, play in a high school tournament.
Peterson, a 6-foot-5 guard, is recognized as a consensus top-three player in the nation and is anticipated to be a standout in the upcoming 2026 NBA Draft. Self, speaking highly of Peterson, stated, "He’s going to be in the conversation. He’s good." The young athlete played a pivotal role in leading Prolific Prep, based out of Napa, California, to a resounding victory in the Grind Session High School World Basketball Championship.
In the championship game, Peterson scored 23 points, grabbed nine rebounds, and contributed three assists, helping his team secure a 77-50 win over Fort Erie International Academy. The game, attended by a host of KU fans, demonstrated Peterson’s electrifying play, characterized by fearless drives to the basket and sharp shooting, as he went 9-for-16 from the field and hit one three-pointer.
Following the game, Peterson expressed his excitement about joining KU. "Super excited, they welcomed me well this weekend," Peterson shared. "I’m a winner. That’s all I’ve got. I’m going to work super hard to get wins every night." His performance also caught the attention of KU supporters, who were eager to see the skills that had garnered Peterson such acclaim.
Peterson's success is further emphasized by his recent accolade as the 2025 Naismith Boys High School Player of the Year, becoming the third Jayhawk to earn this honor, following the likes of Andrew Wiggins and Cliff Alexander. His high school coach, Ryan Bernardi, highlighted both Peterson’s talent on the court and his character off it. “They are getting a really high-character kid and one of the hardest workers and best competitors you can have,” Bernardi said. “He was raised impeccably by his family. He’s a terrific person. Never gets too high, never gets too low. He’s a great competitor. You’re getting a special one.”
As Peterson continues to shine, Self sees parallels between him and Duke standout Cooper Flagg, who has made waves with his impact at the collegiate level. "I love his game. I think he can do a lot of things to help a team win – i.e. what Cooper has done at Duke from what I’ve seen," Self noted. He continued, emphasizing Peterson’s ability to control the game without necessarily scoring, saying, "He’s one of the few guys in America who can not score and still control the game. Hopefully, Darryn will be a player like that for us as well."
While Peterson is set to embark on his college career, his immediate plans also include competing in the Chipotle Nationals with Prolific Prep. The team will face Long Island Lutheran on April 3, 2025, at Hamilton Southeastern High School in Fishers, Indiana. This game promises to showcase Peterson's capabilities one last time before he officially joins KU. The match will be televised on ESPN2, providing fans another opportunity to see the promising guard perform.
As the basketball landscape anticipates the talents of Peterson, he has already proven himself a force to be reckoned with in high school competition. Bill Self and the Jayhawks are banking on his skills translating into success on the college court as they build towards the next season.
