What Scouts Say About Darryn Peterson amid Criticism in Latest Rumors Ahead of 2026 NBA Draft

Some NBA teams have "more questions than answers" with Kansas star Darryn Peterson because of the injury issues that have limited his playing time, according to ESPN's Jeremy Woo.

"Amid the public negativity, scouts and execs I've talked to have consistently emphasized the need for patience, as there won't be a full referendum on his health until NBA teams receive his medical reports at the combine," Woo wrote.

The NBA draft expert added there's broad agreement about Peterson's talent but a layer of "complexity" about whether to take him first overall.

"Draft night will ultimately come down to the risk tolerance of whichever team wins the lottery and how that team views Peterson's trajectory," Woo said.

Peterson is averaging 19.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.3 steals, and he's shooting 44.5 percent overall and 38.5 percent from beyond the arc. One look at his highlight reel is enough to understand why he carries so much hype.

MEAN Darryn Peterson Poster 😨

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Still, concerns over the 6'5" guard's durability have dogged him all year. He has suited up in 19 of Kansas' 30 games, and on a few occasions he has seemingly signaled to the bench to sub him out. Injuries to his hamstring and ankle, cramping, and flu-like symptoms have all been cited as complicating factors.

In a different draft class, the gap between Peterson and the next best player might be so large he'd be the consensus No. 1 player regardless of the health questions.

But BYU's AJ Dybantsa and Duke's Cameron Boozer have long been considered serious contenders for the top spot. Either could plausibly vault ahead of Peterson by draft night.

Should Kansas make a deep run with Peterson at the fore, NBA talent evaluators might see enough to override all of the presumed risk.