The Kansas Jayhawks handled Davidson on Monday night at Allen Fieldhouse with a 90-61 win. But absent, once again, was star Darryn Peterson. The freshman sensation has not played since December 13th against N.C. State, and head coach Bill Self noted after the game that this has been a family decision for Darryn not to play until he feels good.
Self said, “They [His family] want him to be as close to 100% as possible and he’s not there yet. It’s a day-to-day deal. I wish he could have played tonight.”
Self added that he’s in agreement with the family that he should not play until he feels good, but Self added it will ultimately be up to Peterson. If you want the postgame comments from Self, I get the sense he’s uncomfortable and a bit annoyed with the way this has played out, and he should be. Take a look for yourself, courtesy of KU’s 247 team.
Peterson is paid a handsome some of money to play basketball for Kansas this season. And we’re getting to the point where fans and donors who are consistently asked to open their wallets in the non-stop era of NIL fundraising can be asking questions as to whether or not the star player is willing, or unwilling, to play for the Kansas Jayhawks.
It’s a nightmare scenario for KU, and it’s likely to be one we see more of going forward in basketball and football. The players get paid a small fortune, and then also get to call the shots. The pendulum has swung too far in one direction, after being too far the other way for decades in college sports. The pride, the sense of team, the University loyalty has long passed in college sports.
You think Fearless Frank Mason would have been nursing an injury like this? Mason recently stated he’d only miss a game in Allen Fieldhouse if something was “broken/torn.”
Yes, it’s a different era of college athletics, but we’re now at the point where eye brows are going to be raised even higher in the Darryn Peterson saga. And they should be.
