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By Rowan Fisher-Shotton
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Heading into the 2026 NBA Draft, Kansas freshman guard Darryn Peterson was widely viewed as the cleanest top-three talent in the class, and the most gifted prospect on the board.
Multiple mock drafts in recent weeks had him either going No. 1 or No. 2 overall, with the Washington Wizards and Utah Jazz repeatedly named as the two most likely landing spots.
But just hours before the draft, Colin Cowherd added a new layer of tension to the conversation, suggesting that Peterson could slide to No. 3 overall, or even further down the board, due to concerns about professionalism and availability.
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Cowherd specifically pointed to recent comments Peterson has made that should cause organizations to pause, like calling himself a "loner," admitting he doesn't even watch the NBA playoffs, and a pattern of missed games tied to cramping issues.
"Those red flags matter," Cowherd argued, noting how NBA lottery picks need to step in as the "CEO of the franchise," similar to franchise quarterbacks in the NFL. "Messaging, momentum, getting along with others, it all matters," Cowherd added.
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Peterson was one of the most productive freshmen in college basketball last season at Kansas. He averaged 20.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.4 steals per game, shooting 43.8% from the field and 38.2% from 3-point range in 29.0 minutes per night. He earned All-Big 12 honors and a spot on the Big 12 All-Freshman Team.
As a 6-foot-5, 200-pound combo guard with elite shot-making and playmaking ability, scouts have repeatedly praised him as a potential franchise-level lead guard. The biggest issues have centered around durability and availability, specifically due to the cramping Cowherd referenced and other minor injuries, missing 11 games with the Jayhawks last year. Scouts have also noted questions about chemistry, leadership, and overall consistency.
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Most intel still has Peterson locked in the top three, likely No. 2 to Utah if Washington takes AJ Dybantsa first, which many expect.
Ultimately, he still has arguably the highest upside in the draft and is widely seen as a true franchise cornerstone, which may outweigh any lingering risk. With the right coaches and teammates around him, this storyline could fade fast.
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