There is no doubt that Kansas guard Darryn Peterson is going to go high in the upcoming NBA Draft, as the young star has major talent on the court. Now, there was an overwhelming feeling he would go No. 1 overall before he began his college career, but after a rough freshman season, it feels more and more like that spot belongs to BYU's AJ Dybantsa.
Some believe that Peterson still has a chance to regain that No. 1 overall pick status, especially former Kansas legend Drew Gooden. The former Jayhawk has great things to say about Peterson, highlighting that his speed in the game is what is his biggest asset.
After hearing so much negativity about Peterson's game during the season, a lot of times even on this site, it is refreshing to see that there is belief in his game at the next level. Gooden even saw it before Peterson made it to Kansas, seeing his level of talent as a young basketball player, and he believes it easily can be transferred to the NBA.
Fellow Kansas Jayhawk @DrewGooden says Darryn Peterson's superpower is his speed. pic.twitter.com/x9uJVBBSbS
— Chase Hughes (@chasedcsports) May 23, 2026
Darryn Peterson can still make a big impact in the NBA after cramping issue
If there is one thing that Peterson wanted to make clear at the NBA Combine, it was that his cramping issue is under control and he is fully healthy. Peterson came out a few weeks ago, sharing that the reason behind the cramping was due to high doses of creatine he was taking before the college season.
That caused full-body cramps for Peterson, one time so bad that it sent him to the emergency room. That experience caused Peterson to be so cautious all season long, especially anytime he started to feel a cramp coming on. That created the narrative that Peterson could not be relied on to have on the court and technically, the narrative wasn't wrong, but it wasn't from a lack of wanting to be there.
Since the season ended, Peterson has been hard at work preparing for the NBA Draft, knowing that it would take a lot to get back to that No. 1 pick status, especially after the season Dybantsa had. Gooden believes that no matter where Peterson goes, though, he is going to be an asset to a team.
Peterson works at such a quick level on the court that his speed is something that will be tough to stop, even at the NBA level.
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