Darryn Peterson cramping cause revealed + Kansas football update | KU Jayhawks Q&A
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- After medical tests, Peterson discovered creatine was the reason for his cramps.
- Peterson delayed his NBA Draft declaration while undergoing medical testing.
- At this point, KU additions are unlikely to have a real chance to start.
What a year for Darryn Peterson.
For months, the highly talented men’s college basketball player had no idea what was causing the cramping that plagued his 2025-26 season. After undergoing some medical tests after the season, he finally found a reason for all that discomfort and missed playing time:
Creatine.
A source close to the situation told The Star that Peterson underwent several medical tests before being fully cleared for the NBA Draft, which is why he took a while to declare.
“I’d never taken it before (college),” Peterson told ESPN. of creatine, which is sometimes taken to increase strength and endurance. “But after the season I took two weeks off and they did tests, which showed my baseline level was already high.
“So they said when I dosed (a process of increasing one’s intake over time for max benefit), it must’ve made the levels unsafe.”
In the same article, Peterson mentioned that a number of his KU teammates supported him throughout his time in Lawrence.
“My roommate Bryson Tiller had my back — Melvin Council Jr. did as well,” Peterson said. “They would say certain stuff about it, but even they didn’t know what it was. They’re trying to defend you, but they don’t know what to say except, ‘If he could have been out there, he would be. He’s trying, he’s working.’
“They saw I was in rehab every day before practice, after practice. Get massages. Trying all types of stuff.”
To Peterson’s point, a source told The Star in March that his teammates were around when he experienced the full-body cramps. The source noted that some of his teammates were “traumatized” by the experience.
The Star spoke to former KU guard Elmarko Jackson about Peterson’s full-body cramps at the NCAA Tournament.
“For him, it’s obviously scary,” Jackson told The Star. “You’re starting your freshman season, where there’s a lot of hype and a lot of buzz around you. It kind of…gives you a different kind of perspective.”
In Jackson’s mind, Peterson should still be picked No. 1 overall in the 2026 NBA Draft.
“You can ask me in the summertime to now, I still think he’s the No.1 pick,” Jackson said. “He’s probably the best, most talented freshman guard I’ve ever seen in my life. The world can hate you hate for whatever reason, all the bullshit, fake stuff they put out there on the internet that doesn’t matter. ‘Everyone in this locker room, we are all with you (Peterson), just keep being you.’”
Multiple NBA scouts told The Star throughout the season that Peterson remains a strong contender to become this year’s top pick and is unlikely to fall past No. 2, pending an evaluation of his health. He’s contending with BYU’s AJ Dybantsa for the chance to be picked No. 1 overall.
There is a belief within Peterson’s camp that he won’t drop past No. 3 in the NBA Draft. An NBA scout agreed, with that sentiment.
“For sure, but not much further,” a scout said when asked if Peterson could fall past No. 2. “Someone could fall in love with the idea that (Caleb) Wilson is (Pascal) Siakam ... Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”
With that, let’s jump into another Kansas Jayhawks Q&A. Thanks, as always, for your questions …
How many KU fans do you think make the trip to London / guess on crowd for that game. Wembley is a massive stadium. @theblakemc
This is a great question. During my 3 1/2 years on the KU beat, I’ve noticed that fans travel extremely well — especially when it’s a basketball game.
That said, this is a football game and that changes my thought process a little. I expect a good contingent of Kansas fans to come to this game. This is a special one in a special venue, so the expectation is that thousands will make the trip.
It remains to be seen whether the game will sell out.
Why is Travis Goff prioritizing other things besides Basketball? @lukefitzsports
Candidly, I don’t think Travis is doing that; I think he understands that Kansas can’t be a one-program school in this day and age.
Football is the money-maker, and it’s why there is significant investment in stadium renovations and the surrounding Gateway District.
Since Goff took over, several Jayhawks sports programs have reached new heights. KU made the NCAA tournament in both volleyball and soccer, and the baseball team is ranked higher than it’s ever been.
On top of that, football made back-to-back bowls for the first time since 2007 and 2008. Not to mention, KU basketball won a title just four years ago.
I understand that there’s a level of frustration since KU won that title. The team has struggled relative to expectations. And now the football team has had back-to-back disappointing seasons.
Every program goes through ups and downs, however, and adjustments are constantly required with the ever-changing landscape of NIL.
Does #kufball make it to a bowl game this year? @sjpence
That’s a great question. I think it will ultimately come down to quarterback play. From talking to sources, Cole Ballard holds a slight lead in the battle for the starting job.
Neither Ballard nor Isaiah Marshall has truly separated himself from the other. Ballard is seen as the better thrower, but Marshall appears to have a higher ceiling because of his legs. On top of that, Ballard has a good overall command of the offense.
No matter who the starter is, one thing’s for sure: There will be growing pains. It’s hard to expect either quarterback to play as well as Jalon Daniels did at the outset of last season, when he started with 18 touchdowns to only two interceptions.
KU offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki will make the life of whoever wins the starting quarterback job much easier, but limiting mistakes will be key. If KU can get even average quarterback play next season, I think the Jayhawks have a solid shot at making a bowl again.
Who is the next portal add for #kubball that has a chance to start? @REC21
At this point in the offseason, I don’t think anyone KU adds will have a real chance to start.
The Jayhawks have three roster spots left, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Kansas just fills them out with players who won’t see the court this season.
This story was originally published May 8, 2026 at 11:21 AM with the headline "Darryn Peterson cramping cause revealed + Kansas football update | KU Jayhawks Q&A."
