KU signee Darryn Peterson named 2025 Naismith High School Player of the Year

LAWRENCE, Kan. (KCTV) - Help is on the way for the Kansas Jayhawks.

As Kansas stumbles toward the end of one of the most disappointing seasons of the Bill Self era, there is optimism a future star could be headed to Lawrence next year.

On Friday, KU signee Darryn Peterson was named the 2025 Naismith Boys High School Player of the Year. Peterson, a 6-foot-5 guard from Canton, Ohio, is the No. 2 player in the consensus 2025 rankings according to 24/7 Sports.

He becomes the third Jayhawk to win the Naismith Boys High School Player of the Year award, joining Andrew Wiggins in 2013 and Cliff Alexander in 2014.

Peterson, a 2025 McDonald’s All-American, has averaged 30.4 points, 6.8 rebounds and 7.4 assists per game for Prolific Prep in Napa, California, during his senior season of high school basketball.

“This is one of the best recruiting moments that Kansas basketball has had in decades,” KU head coach Bill Self said in November when Peterson signed with the Jayhawks. “Darryn is an all-around guard that scores at all levels and is also a terrific facilitator and defender.

“Darryn was as important as any recruit we have recruited in recent memory. Darryn can be a catalyst to also draw other players to our program.”

Peterson will join a Kansas team that will no longer feature Dajuan Harris, KJ Adams and Hunter Dickinson heading into the 2025-26 college basketball season.

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