Future Kansas Jayhawk Darryn Peterson in Lawrence for high school hoops world championships

The prized recruit of Kansas basketball’s 2025 class is in Lawrence this weekend as part of the 2025 Grind Session High School Basketball World Championships.

Darryn Peterson – rated as a five-star prospect, a McDonald’s All-American, and the 2025 Naismith Boys High School Player of the Year – will lead his Prolific Prep (CA) team into a Final Four matchup against DME Academy (FL) on Saturday at 6:15 p.m. CT inside Haskell Indian Nations University.

If they win, they will play in the championship game this Sunday at 5 p.m. CT.

Also in Lawrence is the current No. 1 overall recruit in the 2025 class, AJ Dybantsa. He and Peterson have faced off multiple times recently with Peterson and Prolific Prep getting the better of Dybantsa and his Utah Prep (UT) squad.

In December 2024, Peterson scored 32 points to go along with 10 rebounds and eight assists while leading Prolific Prep to a six-point win 76-70 against Utah Prep. Dybantsa finished with 28 points, eight rebounds, and six assists in the loss.

The two met again in February last month, where Peterson had perhaps the best high school performance of the year totaling 58 points, five rebounds, and four assists to lead Prolific Prep over Utah Prep 88-86 thanks to a last-second three made by Peterson. Dybantsa had a stellar game too, finishing with 49 points, nine rebounds, and three assists.

There is a chance Peterson steals the No. 1 recruit title from Dybantsa when final rankings come out this spring, and another good showing against him this weekend (if they face off in the championship) should only help his cause.

This is a great opportunity for Jayhawk fans to get a closer look at their future star. Tickets are $15 (kids ages 6 and under are free) and can be purchased online or at the door.