Darryn Peterson's Kansas Cramps Cloud 2026 Draft Hopes

Merlin sees Darryn Peterson arrive at Kansas as the preseason No. 1 after a huge senior year, only to raise red flags with mysterious cramping and spotty availability. He still averaged 20.2 points and shot 38.4 percent from three, showing elite off ball scoring, creation, and defensive playmaking, but scouts worry about finishing, playmaking, and off ball reads. With top prospects like AJ Dybantsa and Cameron Boozer in the mix, Peterson’s realistic draft range is top five rather than a lock at one. Merlin tells the high school fan that Peterson reads like an Anthony Edwards style scoring two guard: a gamebreaker when healthy and spaced, but with questions that could push him down boards. If medicals clear and a team trusts his gravity to create for others, he soars. If not, others will leap.