Kansas freshman Darryn Peterson, widely regarded as a potential No. 1 pick in the upcoming NBA draft, will miss the highly anticipated game against Duke on November 14, 2023, due to a hamstring injury. The university confirmed the news, stating that Peterson is making progress but will be reevaluated at the end of the week, according to head coach Bill Self via social media platform X.
The absence of Peterson is a notable setback for the Jayhawks as they prepare to face the No. 5 ranked Blue Devils at Madison Square Garden. This matchup features two storied programs, but Peterson’s injury takes some of the excitement out of the contest. The young star has already missed the last two games and Self hinted that the injury may keep him sidelined longer than initially expected.
Before the season began, Peterson generated significant buzz, particularly after scoring 21 points in a mere 22 minutes during an exhibition victory over Louisville. His last appearance for the Jayhawks was on November 7, 2023, when he scored 22 points in a loss against North Carolina. With Peterson out, Kansas will need to rely on other players to step up against a talented Duke squad that has attracted elite recruits.
Duke features standout Cameron Boozer, son of former Blue Devils star and NBA player Carlos Boozer, who is also among the top prospects for the 2024 NBA draft. Alongside Boozer, Duke boasts players like Dame Sarr and Isaiah Evans, all projected as first-round picks in ESPN’s latest mock draft.
In Peterson’s absence, Kansas will look to players like Flory Bidunga, who is averaging 17.0 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game, and Tre White, an Illinois transfer contributing 12.0 points per game. Self had entrusted Peterson with significant responsibilities from the start of the season, but the team must now navigate this challenge without him as they aim to fulfill the expectations set for their campaign.
Kansas is set to face Notre Dame and Syracuse in the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas on November 20 and 21, 2023, respectively, before taking on UConn the following week. The Jayhawks will need to regroup quickly to maintain their competitive edge in the absence of their promising freshman.
