Should Darryn Peterson shut it down? One NBA scout says yes

The spotlight on Darryn Peterson isn’t fading. If anything, it’s sharpening, and not just because of the box scores.

Peterson arrived at Kansas as one of the most decorated prospects in the country, a Canton, Ohio, native viewed by many NBA evaluators as a potential No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 draft. The production has largely followed. Through 17 games, he’s averaging 19.5 points while shooting better than 40 percent from three.

But inside NBA circles, the conversation is drifting from numbers to nuance.

One scout who has followed Peterson since high school told Grant Afseth of RG.org that the long-term equation may now matter more than the nightly grind.

“He doesn’t have the same burst he had playing in high school,” the scout said. “You can see he’s trying to battle through it, and I respect that. But at some point, you’ve got to ask what you’re gaining vs. what you’re risking. He’s clearly not 100%. It would be wise to shut it down and not risk anything.”

The scout was careful to separate skill from circumstance. Peterson’s shot-making still pops. The pull-ups. The step-backs. The composure against contests.

“He’s still creating separation on his jumper,” the scout said. “But he’s getting to the rim less. He doesn’t look as shifty laterally. That’s the difference right now.”

National voices have pushed back on the idea of shutting it down. ESPN’s Jay Bilas recently dismissed any suggestion that Peterson’s competitiveness should be questioned.

“When that dude plays, there is not much question,” Bilas said. “He is the real deal.”

From an NBA lens, though, this isn’t about toughness or optics.

“The talent is obvious,” the scout told Afseth. “The ceiling hasn’t changed. But if he’s compensating physically, that’s when you invite bigger problems. There’s no reason to gamble with a potential No. 1 pick.”

Kansas is chasing March. The NBA is thinking years. And somewhere in between, Peterson’s season has become a delicate balancing act.