People keep saying KU’s Darryn Peterson is a ‘pro.’ So what does that look like?
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Peterson displays NBA-level scoring, first step and finishing through contact.
- Teammates and coaches label him pro for poise, reads and passing.
- Daily weight lifting, extra shots and coaching sessions drive his development.
Amid a scrum of reporters, Kansas freshman Darryn Peterson sat between teammates Flory Bidunga and Tre White. The setting — Big 12 men’s basketball media day at T-Mobile Center.
Peterson fielded what seemed like a never-ending stream of questions. Despite the attention, he appeared completely in his element, well beyond his years as an 18-year-old.
The projected No. 1 NBA Draft pick grinned when asked about his ability to remain unfazed by the attention.
“I’m kind of used to it now,” Peterson said.
It shows in his game, too.
Both on and off the court, the freshman phenom has the mannerisms of a professional. When you ask others about his game, especially his teammates and coach Bill Self, they often use the word “pro.”
Even at KU’s Late Night in the Phog scrimmage, fans and media members got a first-person view. He has an NBA-level first step and ability to finish through contact rarely seen from freshmen in the college game.
“He’s an 18-year-old that plays like a 25-year-old,” Self said. “When you start out early in your career doing something, everything seems to be in fast forward. … With him, everything is in slow motion. To me, that’s a big compliment that he sees the game where it’s not sped up.”
Teammate Tre White shared a similar sentiment.
“I feel like he doesn’t get sped up, he plays his game,” White told The Star. “He doesn’t do too much. He knows his bag and what to get to. That’s DP to a T. ... He’s efficient, he’s dominant and he can pass as well. He’s a big guard. I’m excited.”
He’s even earned the admiration of his “biggest rival” in BYU freshman AJ Dybantsa.
The one-and-done prospects will compete for a chance to be the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Dybantsa was ranked second in the class of 2025 by 247Sports, while Peterson was the top incoming recruit.
The pair faced off a handful of times in high school. They’ll next meet on Jan. 31 inside Allen Fieldhouse.
“He’s tough, man,” Dybantsa told The Star. “He’s probably one of the better scorers I’ve played against. I take a lot of pride in my defense, but he’s just a professional scorer. He can score at all three levels and makes the right reads.”
A big part of why Peterson looks ready for the NBA already is his work ethic. That work ethic has earned the admiration of his teammates.
Peterson told The Star his typical day starts with weight lifting and practice. Then he works on his free throws or practices his shots.
After that, Peterson heads back to Allen Fieldhouse to work out, as he noted he’s getting used to the “depth” and overall feel of the arena before games start.
Then, he tries to shoot 100 free throws a day at McCarthy Hall (the KU basketball dorm). He hopes to shoot 90% from the free-throw line this season.
Finally, he finishes with a workout with KU assistant coach Jacque Vaughn. The former NBA coach has worked closely with Peterson since his arrival. Oftentimes, Bidunga will join the workouts.
It’s all paying off.
“He’s (Peterson) a pro,” White said. “To be 18 and get concepts fasts … to be able to come off a screen, make the next read, stuff like that, he has that down. So I’m excited to play with him.”
Still, there’s plenty for him to improve upon. Just ask Self, who noted that Peterson likes to be coached hard.
“He’s got to get more consistent with some things that he’s never been told are important,” Self said. “Like moving without the ball, being harder to guard when you don’t have the ball, things like that.
“... There are still a lot of things he’s got to learn. But he’s a willing learner, no doubt about it.”
This story was originally published October 23, 2025 at 6:00 AM with the headline "People keep saying KU’s Darryn Peterson is a ‘pro.’ So what does that look like?."
