Kansas Basketball's Bill Self Defends Darryn Peterson's Absences

Coach says 'bad luck' is behind the star freshman's myriad of injuries this season.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Kansas basketball head coach Bill Self has come to the defense of star freshman Darryn Peterson, who has missed 11 games this season due to a string of injuries and illnesses. Self insists the absences are the result of 'bad luck' rather than any issues with Peterson's motivation or commitment to the team.

Why it matters

Peterson is considered an NBA prospect, so his injury history could become a point of scrutiny. Self is pushing back against any 'narratives' that Peterson is managing his playing time or lacking dedication to the team.

The details

Peterson has played in 13 games this season, averaging 20.5 points and 4.2 rebounds while shooting 48.9% from the field and 41.9% from 3-point range. He has missed 11 games due to a variety of issues, including cramping, a sprained ankle, an illness, a quad injury, and a hamstring injury. Self says the absences are legitimate and not the result of 'load management'.

  • Peterson missed the Jayhawks' last game against Arizona due to illness.
  • Kansas basketball is 19-5, 9-2 in Big 12 play, and will look to win their ninth straight game on Saturday against No. 5 Iowa State.

The players

Bill Self

The head coach of the Kansas basketball team, who is defending star freshman Darryn Peterson's injury history this season.

Darryn Peterson

A Kansas basketball freshman who is considered an NBA prospect, but has missed 11 games this season due to a string of injuries and illnesses.

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What they’re saying

“Was his hamstring legit? Hell yes. Would you risk injuring it more in November? No. Was his cramping legit? Yes, positively, it was. Did he turn his ankle bad (at Colorado) to the point where he couldn't practice for nine days, and then practice one day and play BYU? Yes. And that was adrenaline kicking in the BYU game. And then, of all things, he gets sick.”

— Bill Self, Head Coach, Kansas Basketball (The Kansas City Star)

“So the narrative is BS, in many ways. Load management? This kid hasn't talked about that one time or anything. Load management? Geez, that's when you play four games in seven days. That's not when you play one half a week or anything like that. So those (rumors) aren't true. The narratives — at least some of the ones I saw — are inaccurate.”

— Bill Self, Head Coach, Kansas Basketball (The Kansas City Star)

What’s next

Peterson missed the Jayhawks' last game against Arizona due to illness, and Self is hoping he can recover in time for Saturday's matchup against No. 5 Iowa State as Kansas looks to extend their winning streak to nine games.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges star college basketball players can face with injuries and the need to push back against narratives that question their commitment or motivation. Self's defense of Peterson's absences as simply 'bad luck' rather than any larger issues suggests the program is standing firmly behind their talented freshman.