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Myron Medcalf
kansas Coach Bill Self said this on Monday night darrin peterson‘s family does not want the projected No. 1 player to return from injury until he is “as close to 100 percent as possible.”
Speaking after his team win 90-61 Above davidsonSaid he agreed with the family’s decision that Peterson – who is limited to four games this season due to quad and hamstring injuries – should not return until he is healthy.
,[Peterson’s family] Made a decision, which I don’t disagree with at all, that they want him to be as close to 100 percent as possible when he comes back,” Self said. “He’s not quite there yet. This is an everyday deal. he will be [ready]I wish he could have played tonight, but the truth is that other guys also scored some runs and performed well,
“So hopefully giving other guys some opportunities will give us more depth as we get into conference play.”
Before Monday, Self had not discussed the role his family played in determining Peterson’s playing status.
Peterson missed his second consecutive game and ninth overall on Monday night.
When he became available, the 6-foot-6 wing displayed all the star qualities that have propelled him to the top ESPN’s latest 2026 NBA mock draftHe averages 19,3 points and connects on 42,3% of his shots from beyond the arc,
In Peterson’s absence, Kansas has turned to its defensive edge. According to KenPom, the Jayhawks rank seventh in adjusted defensive efficiency.
Self said Peterson’s injuries have helped his team identify other key players and Monday’s win proved as much when six players finished in double figures.
But Self said Peterson is focused on coming back and helping his team.
“We’ve talked about it. We agree with the family that he shouldn’t play until he feels better,” Self said. “We agree. But I’m not inside his head or his body enough to determine whether he feels good enough or not. It’s up to him. He wants to be there. He’s just not ready.”
