Kansas Guard Darryn Peterson Misses Games but Still No 1

Merlin sees Kansas freshman Darryn Peterson as a top 2026 prospect who has flashed rare scoring touch but has been limited this season, missing 11 games with a hamstring, cramps, a rolled ankle and flu-like symptoms. Scouts told The Athletic they are not panicked; one said, "I haven't heard, from anyone I've talked to, like, 'Wow, he's going pick No. 10 now.'" Peterson is averaging 20.0 points in 26.9 minutes, shooting 48.5 percent overall and 43.1 from three, and he poured in 23 points in 18 minutes on 6-of-10 threes vs Oklahoma State. Merlin senses durability questions will shadow him, yet scouts still call him "elite, elite, elite," and his size, shot-making and playmaking keep him firmly in No. 1 conversations.