The Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball team is already making headlines, and Darryn Peterson, a name you'll be hearing a lot, is the reason why. Before stepping onto the court for his first college game, Peterson has achieved a rare feat: earning unanimous selection as the Big 12's Preseason Freshman of the Year AND landing a spot on the All-Conference team. But is all this hype justified? Let's dive in.
This isn't just another freshman making waves. Peterson, a guard hailing from Canton, Ohio, was locked in a fierce battle for the nation's top recruiting spot in the class of 2025 with BYU's AJ Dybantsa. Ultimately, Peterson clinched the coveted No. 1 ranking on both 247Sports and On3, solidifying his status as a generational talent. And this is the part most people miss... he's already being discussed as a potential top pick in the 2026 NBA Draft after just one year of college ball, signaling the immense expectations surrounding his arrival in Lawrence.
KU head coach Bill Self, a man known for his discerning eye for talent, has gone so far as to call Peterson the best player he's ever recruited. Think about that for a moment. Self has coached countless NBA players and led Kansas to multiple national championships. His endorsement carries significant weight. During his senior year at Prolific Prep, Peterson's stat line was nothing short of spectacular: 30.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, 7.4 assists, and 2.2 steals per game. Those numbers scream versatility and dominance. He becomes the 10th Jayhawk to receive the preseason freshman of the year award, a distinction not seen since Quentin Grimes back in 2018.
Peterson wasn't alone in receiving preseason accolades. Dybantsa, like Peterson, was a unanimous All-Conference selection. They are joined by BYU’s Richie Saunders; Houston’s Emanuel Sharp, Joseph Tugler and Milos Uzan (unanimous); Iowa State’s Tamin Lipsey; Kansas State’s P.J. Haggerty; and Texas Tech’s Christian Anderson and JT Toppin (unanimous), who was also named Preseason Player of the Year. Texas Tech also saw Washington State transfer LeJuan Watts named Newcomer of the Year, demonstrating the depth of talent in the conference. But here's where it gets controversial... some analysts believe Toppin's selection over more established players is a sign of the shifting power dynamics within the Big 12.
Despite the individual accolades, the Jayhawks, recently ranked No. 19 in the AP Top 25, were picked to finish sixth in the Big 12 coaches' poll. Houston, the national runner-up last season, is the overwhelming favorite to repeat as regular-season conference champion, receiving 14 of a possible 16 first-place votes. BYU and Arizona each received one first-place vote, landing them in second and fourth place, respectively. Texas Tech and Iowa State round out the top five. Following KU in the poll are Baylor, Cincinnati, K-State, TCU, West Virginia, Oklahoma State, Utah, UCF, Colorado and Arizona State.
Peterson headlines a significantly revamped KU roster. Alongside returning sophomores like center Flory Bidunga and guards Elmarko Jackson and Jamari McDowell, the team welcomes a host of transfers in Melvin Council Jr., Jayden Dawson, Nginyu Ngala, and Tre White. A fresh class of freshmen, including Corbin Allen, Samis Calderon, Paul Mbiya, Kohl Rosario, and Bryson Tiller, will also be vying for playing time. With so many new faces, can Self mold them into a cohesive unit capable of exceeding expectations? This is the big question for the Jayhawks this year.
So, what do you think? Is the hype surrounding Darryn Peterson justified, or are expectations set too high? Can Kansas overcome their predicted sixth-place finish in the Big 12? And does the coaching staff have the formula to blend the new talent with the returning players? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
