Potential No. 1 pick Darryn Peterson likely plays final college game in loss to St. John’s
By JAMES MADDEN
Kansas’s season is over. And so, too, is Darryn Peterson’s college career.
Peterson likely played his final game for the Jayhawks in their 67-65 loss to St. John’s in the second round of the NCAA Tournament in San Diego. Peterson led all scorers on Sunday, finishing with 21 points, 4 rebounds and 4 blocks on 5-of-15 shooting.
“I thought he played well,” Kansas coach Bill Self told reporters. “I thought he played really hard. The thing about it is, when you guard as well and as hard as what St. John’s does, those shots are hard shots. And you switch coming off every screen and all that stuff. Those are hard plays. I thought he competed hard. I was really proud of his effort.”
With fellow top-2 projected pick AJ Dybantsa and BYU falling at the hands of Texas in the opening round on Thursday, this summer’s top-two projected draft picks have both been eliminated before the second weekend.
After battling lingering health issues for the majority of the regular season, Peterson became a mainstay in Kansas’ lineup down the stretch. The star guard played 30+ minutes in each of the Jayhawks’ final nine games of the season.
“He’s had moments where he’s looked great and moments where obviously his health didn’t allow him to play like we all know he’s capable of playing,” Self said.
“But I hope the year was enjoyable for him. I know I enjoyed being around him an awful lot.”
With the Jayhawks trailing for most of the game, Peterson willed his team back into the game and tied it with 14 seconds to go after a pair of free throws. Peterson’s game-tying free throws were followed by a game-winning layup from St. John’s guard Dylan Darling, which presumably ended Peterson’s college career.
Peterson averaged 20.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game in 23 appearances for the Jayhawks.
He he has drawn comparisons to many NBA greats, most notably Kobe Bryant by Green Bay head coach Doug Gottlieb earlier this season, although some NBA scouts wonder if Arkansas star Darius Acuff Jr. hasn’t caught up to Peterson in the point guard pecking order.
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