Kansas freshman Darryn Peterson declares for NBA draft, projected as a top‑3 pick after averaging 20.2 points per game

Kansas freshman Darryn Peterson officially declared for the NBA draft Friday, positioning himself as a projected top-3 selection. Peterson averaged 20.2 points per game during his collegiate season.

Kansas freshman Darryn Peterson officially announced his entry into the NBA draft on Friday, May 17. The 6-foot-6 guard is widely projected as one of the first three players selected in the upcoming draft. His declaration follows a collegiate season where he demonstrated significant scoring prowess.

In 24 games with the Jayhawks, Peterson averaged 20.2 points and 4.2 rebounds per contest. He showcased a strong shooting touch, connecting on 38.2% of his attempts from three-point range. While his collegiate tenure saw him miss 11 games due to various illnesses and injuries, his performance in the games he played consistently placed him among the nation's top scorers.

Peterson’s production escalated in the postseason. He recorded 24 points against TCU and 14 points against Houston during the Big 12 Tournament. In the NCAA Tournament, he delivered 28 points in a first-round victory and followed with 21 points in a narrow second-round loss. His average of 20.2 points places him prominently among this year's draft-eligible players, alongside individuals like BYU's A.J. Dybantsa, who led the nation with 25.5 points per game.

Peterson shared his gratitude on social media. "To my teammates, friends and everyone at the University of Kansas, a heartfelt thank you!" he posted. "Your belief in me, your encouragement and your constant support have been invaluable every step of the way. This journey has been everything to me, and none of it would have been possible without your love, support and sacrifices."

Peterson's projected top-3 selection places him in a highly competitive draft class. Other notable prospects who have also declared include Arizona freshman Koa Peat, Tennessee freshman Nate Ament, and Arkansas’ Darius Acuff Jr., who led the SEC in both scoring (23.5 points per game) and assists (6.4 per game). Analysts frequently draw comparisons between Peterson's offensive skill set and that of Phoenix Suns five-time All-Star Devin Booker, citing similarities in their ability to score at all three levels and their overall athleticism.

The immediate future involves the NBA Draft Lottery, which will determine the draft order, followed by the NBA Draft Combine, where prospects undergo physical and skill assessments. The NBA Draft itself will formalize these selections.