Darryn Peterson finally has someone coming to his defense.
Jay Bilas, appearing on “The Rich Eisen Show,” said it was unfair to use Peterson’s injury as a measure of character.
“Shutting it down would be the easy way to go, and the NBA would take him No. 1. Trying to play is what’s causing these speculative issues about his character. … I don’t find it fair.”
—@JayBilas on Darryn Peterson ✍️
(via @RichEisenShow) pic.twitter.com/VK9O6iriH6
— ESPN (@espn) February 23, 2026
Peterson recently fired back at the media for taking shots at his injury history, proclaiming his love for basketball and disappointment in missing games.
Kansas star freshman Darryn Peterson addresses criticism around missing games.
Peterson has been sidelined for 11 of the Jayhawks’ 27 games this year due to various ailments. pic.twitter.com/JZidoZNvRc
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) February 23, 2026
Bilas’ take was met with mixed reactions.
Peterson is a fair target for criticism but the notion that this has ever been about the draft has never been true. For whatever reason his body can’t hold up right now. He was clearly hobbling vs Cincinnati. https://t.co/rZRumntygd
— Seth Davis (@SethDavisHoops) February 23, 2026
We need more people pushing back on the negatives with Darryn Peterson like this. https://t.co/jzmA7G8vnB
— Nathan Grubel (@DraftDeeper) February 23, 2026
Doesn’t his massive NIL cloud any decision to “shut it down.”
— JV (@32ndSt_Sports) February 23, 2026
He considers these young, millionaire college students who participate in college sports to be professionals.
Professionals have ONE job—to perform competitively.
IF these kids are the pros that Bilas claims, then fans 100% have the right to opine, speculate, or even accuse. https://t.co/XePQNqCBM5
— NIL 𝘯𝘰𝘵 NLI (@NILnotNLI) February 23, 2026
All eyes will be on Peterson on Monday night when Kansas hosts Houston.
