LAWRENCE, Kan. -- Kansas freshman Darryn Peterson declared for the NBA draft on Friday, just as nearly everyone had expected he would ever since his arrival on campus, and the high-scoring guard figures to be among the first three players selected in June.
The 6-foot-6 Peterson showed flashes of brilliance with the Jayhawks, but he also caused a lot of headaches for the team. He dealt with a severe, full-body cramping issue that required hospitalization before the season, and additional injuries and illnesses caused him to miss 11 games, hurting his ability to build any continuity with his teammates.
Peterson wound up averaging 20.2 points and 4.2 rebounds while shooting 38.2% from beyond the arc in 24 games.
He started to hit his rhythm in the postseason, scoring 24 points against TCU and 14 against Houston in the Big 12 tournament. He had 28 points in a first-round NCAA tournament win over Cal Baptist and 21 in a last-second loss to St. John's in the second round.
"To my teammates, friends, and everyone at the University of Kansas, a heartfelt thank you!" Peterson posted to social media Friday. "Your belief in me, your encouragement, and your constant support have been invaluable every step of the way. This journey has been everything to me, and none of it would have been possible without your love, support, and sacrifices."
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Most mock drafts have Peterson or BYU's AJ Dybantsa going first overall, though Duke's Cameron Boozer also could be in the mix.
The closest comparison to Peterson has generally been 6-5 Devin Booker, the Phoenix Suns' five-time All-Star. Both have the ability to score at all three levels, and their athleticism allows them to play much bigger than their size.
Peterson's announcement came one day after Dybantsa declared for the draft in his hometown of Brockton, Massachusetts.