LAWRENCE — Kansas basketball might not be the favorite to win the Big 12 Conference this season, but it does have the preseason freshman of the year.
Darryn Peterson, a guard for the Jayhawks, received that honor Thursday, Oct. 16, from the Big 12 — in addition to being a unanimous selection on the preseason All-Big 12 team. Both awards reinforced what has long been a belief surrounding Peterson’s potential, that he could be the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. And it makes one wonder if the ceiling for the program this season is higher than the coaches poll prediction of sixth among 16 programs.
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“Historically, Peterson is the 10th Jayhawk to be named Big 12 Preseason Freshman of the Year in the 30-year history of the conference,” a KU release stated. “He joins Quentin Grimes (2018-19), [Josh] Jackson (2016-17), Cheick Diallo (2015-16), Cliff Alexander (co-2014-15), [Andrew] Wiggins (2013-14), Josh Selby (2010-11), Julian Wright (2005-06), David Padgett (co-2003-04), and Nick Collison (1999-2000).”
Ahead of Kansas coach Bill Self’s squad in the big 12 preseason poll, in order, are Houston, BYU, Texas Tech, Arizona and Iowa State. Rounding out the top 10, the Jayhawks are ahead of Baylor, Cincinnati, Kansas State and TCU. Rising up the ranks in the league will mean not just Peterson living up to his potential, but the mix of newcomers and returning talents standing out as well.
Kansas has a pair of exhibition games later this month: against Louisville on the road, and Fort Hays State at home. The Jayhawks’ regular season beings in early November at home against Green Bay. Outside of Peterson, sophomore forward Flory Bidunga is among the players to watch for KU.
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“Generational player and exceptional representative for KU!” Travis Goff, Kansas’ athletic director and vice chancellor, posted in part on the social media platform X. “You’re gonna want to see DP at the helm all year.”
Kansas basketball guard Darryn Peterson is viewed as one of the top players in the Big 12 Conference going into the 2025-26 season.
Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He was the 2022 National Sports Media Association’s sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas basketball Darryn Peterson preseason Big 12 freshman of year
