Bill Self has been able to produce some NBA stars in his time, and the class of 2025 has brought arguably his brightest. With the acquisition of 247Sports’ No. 1 recruit Darryn Peterson. According to the recruiting service, Peterson ranks as Kansas’ third-highest ever recruit, just behind Josh Jackson and Andrew Wiggins, who have both sustained successful careers in the league.
When speaking with the media earlier this week, Self was asked what about Peterson made the 18-year-old so ready for the NBA? Here is what the Kansas coach said.
“...I would say the maturity of his game, you know, he's an 18-year-old that plays like a 25-year-old,” quoted Self.
“When you start out doing something in early in your career, doing something, everything seems to be in fast forward…with him, everything's in slow motion. And to me, that's a big compliment. That he sees the game where it's not sped up.”
In Self’s time as head coach, he has produced 20 NBA first-round draft picks, including Wiggins, who was once the No. 1 pick in the 2014 NBA draft.
Could Peterson be Self’s next No. 1 pick?
The answer is glaringly yes. Many mock drafts have either BYU freshman AJ Dybantsa as the top pick in 2026. Of course, there are months of action yet to be unpacked. Peterson and the Jayhawks will be tested early and often throughout the season, with matchups against UNC, Duke, and UConn all before Big 12 play even gets underway.
This season, the No. 19 Jayhawks take on Dybantsa and the BYU Cougars just once, on January 31st, with the game set at the daunting Allen Fieldhouse. Like Peterson, Dybantsa was a five-star. The six-foot-nine forward was touted as the nation’s second overall recruit, just behind Peterson.
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