Darryn Peterson Named Preseason Big 12 Freshman of the Year

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas freshman sensation Darryn Peterson has been named the Big 12 Preseason Player of the Year and preseason all-conference as the league announced its coaches' preseason honors today.

Kansas finished sixth in the coaches' preseason poll garnering 163 points. Houston (224 points) is the coaches' favorite followed by BYU (204), Texas Tech (200), Arizona (179), and Iowa State (170). Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team or student-athletes in the poll.

Peterson was one of four unanimous selections by the coaches on the Preseason All-Big 12 team. A 6-foot-6 guard from Canton, Ohio, Peterson is one of Kansas' highest-ever recruited players after earning Naismith Trophy High School Player of the Year and McDonald's All-American honors following the 2024-25 season. Last season, Peterson averaged 30.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, 7.4 assists and 2.2 steals per game. He ended 2024-25 ranked No. 1 by 247Sports.com and On3.com. Peterson is the third No. 1 national recruit to play for Hall of Fame coach Bill Self at Kansas, joining Andrew Wiggins and Josh Jackson.

Historically, Peterson is the 10th Jayhawk to be named Big 12 Preseason Freshman of the Year in the 30-year history of the conference. He joins Quentin Grimes (2018-19), Jackson (2016-17), Cheick Diallo (2015-16), Cliff Alexander (co-2014-15), Wiggins (2013-14), Josh Selby (2010-11), Julian Wright (2005-06), David Padgett (co-2003-04), and Nick Collison (1999-2000).

Self is entering his 23rd season at Kansas, and his team features returners Flory Bidunga, Jamari McDowell, and Elmarko Jackson. Self welcomes eight newcomers to the KU squad, featuring four upperclassmen transfers – Melvin Council Jr., Jayden Dawson, Nginyu "Gee" Ngala, and Tre White. Joining Peterson in the talented freshman class is Kohl Rosario, Paul Mbiya, Bryson Tiller, Samis Calderon, and Corbin Allen.

Fans will get a first look at the 2025-26 Jayhawks at Late Night in the Phog presented by Hy-Vee on Friday, Oct. 17, at 6:30 p.m. CT, inside historic Allen Fieldhouse.

Big 12 Coaches Preseason Poll
Rank, Team (first place votes) – points
1. Houston (14) – 224
2. BYU (1) – 204
3. Texas Tech – 200
4. Arizona (1) – 179
5. Iowa State – 170
6. KANSAS – 163
7. Baylor – 137
8. Cincinnati – 120
9. K-State – 117
10. TCU – 90
11. West Virginia – 79
12. Oklahoma State – 77
13. Utah – 50
14. UCF – 39
15. Colorado – 37
16. Arizona State – 34

Preseason All-Big 12 Team
AJ Dybantsa, BYU*
Richie Saunders, BYU
Emanuel Sharp, Houston
Joseph Tugler, Houston
Milos Uzan, Houston*
Tamin Lipsey, Iowa State
DARRYN PETERSON, KANSAS*
P.J. Haggerty, K-State
Christian Anderson, Texas Tech
JT Toppin, Texas Tech*
*-unanimous selection

Preseason Player of the Year: JT Toppin, Texas Tech
Preseason Newcomer of the Year: LeJuan Watts, Texas Tech
Preseason Freshman of the Year: DARRYN PETERSON, KANSAS

University of Kansas Athletics

Darryn Peterson Named Preseason Big 12 Freshman of the Year

Players Mentioned

Corbin Allen

Flory Bidunga

Samis Calderon

Melvin Council Jr.

Jayden Dawson

Elmarko Jackson

Paul Mbiya

Jamari McDowell

Darryn Peterson

Kohl Rosario

Bryson Tiller

Tre White

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