Is Darryn Peterson Shutting Down for Kansas Jayhawks? Debunking Rumors About Projected 2026 #1 NBA Draft Pick

Kansas Jayhawks star Darryn Peterson, widely projected as the No. 1 pick of the 2026 NBA draft, is reportedly being shut down for the rest of the season.

On Friday, Scott Hughes posted that the freshman guard will not appear in another game in a Jayhawks uniform. This report is false as there are no reliable sources that have confirmed the news.

Peterson is currently sidelined due to quad cramps, but is not being shut down. His status remains uncertain as he deals with an injury, but there has been no confirmation from the Jayhawks about Peterson potentially sitting out the remainder of the season.

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While Hughes lists "credentialed men’s college basketball reporter" in his X bio, the account is a known parody that spreads false information.

Last month, the account was called out by St. Bonaventure for posting a fake report about its general manager, Adrian Wojnarowski. On Dec. 8, reporter Sean Keeley said that Scott Hughes isn't real as he debunked a false rumor about UCLA coach Mark Pope.

In five hours of posting, Hughes tweet about Peterson has 1.9 million views, over 9,500 likes and close to 1,500 replies and reposts. Some fans have also mentioned that it is a parody account that posts fake news.

Kansas coach Bill Self provides update on Darryn Peterson's status

Darryn Peterson sat out the Kansas Jayhawks' 73-49 win over the Towson Tigers on Tuesday due to quad cramps. Before the game, Jayhawks coach Bill Self provided an update on their star guard.

"He is not able to compete at full strength," Self said, adding that Peterson would "continue to work tirelessly and prepare to compete with his teammates and represent Kansas in the very near future."

Peterson left Saturday's 77-76 win over NC State due to cramping, and according to Self, the freshman felt cramping again during the team's practice on Monday.

Peterson is listed as the No. 1 pick in ESPN's 2026 NBA mock draft. Per college basketball insider Jeremy Woo on Tuesday, Peterson has played well, but he needs to be healthy to further strengthen his draft stock. There has been an ongoing debate about BYU's AJ Dybantsa and Duke's Cameron Boozer as being both No. 1-caliber prospects.

Edited by Kim Daniel Rubinos