Bill Self makes telling Joel Embiid-Darryn Peterson comparison

Kansas Jayhawks coach Bill Self has set high expectations for star freshman Darryn Peterson. The combo guard showed off his energy, scoring and passing ability in high school, becoming the No. 1 prospect in the 2025 class, per 247 Sports. 

Peterson left Prolific Prep with averages of 30.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, 7.4 assists, and 2.2 steals per game in 2024-25. He was the 2025 Naismith Trophy Boys High School Player of the Year. 

His 2023 gold medal with USA Basketball at the FIBA U16 Americas Championship shows that this kid knows what it takes to win. Jayhawks fans hope that all that prior experience helps him take the team to the top of college basketball.

Bill Self says Darren Peterson will need to be the guy for Kansas 

During an appearance on CBS Sports’ “Inside College Basketball,” Bill Self explained what he expects from Peterson in his freshman season. Self envisions Peterson having a different role than what Joel Embiid had when he played at Lawrence.

Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts after his team’s 118-115 loss against the New York Knicks on May 02, 2024.

Discussing Peterson’s role with the team, Self said the 6-foot-5 freshman would have to take over the team, unlike other top prospects in the past, including Joel Embiid and Devonte’ Graham.

“I would think as a freshman coming in with the ability to put a team on his back,” Self said. “I’ll be honest, I don’t know that I’ve had one. We didn’t ask Wigs to do that as a freshman. Embiid didn’t do that as a freshman. Josh had Frank Mason, and Devonte’ Graham didn’t ask to do as a freshman with this particular roster. You know, let’s just call it like it is. Darren needs to be the guy, and if he’s that guy, then you know, he’ll put up numbers that are as good as anybody we’ve had here.”

Peterson will play for one of the most iconic programs in college basketball. This new leadership role should help him elevate his game.