Kansas landed Darrin Peterson, the nation’s top shooting guard

Top shooting guard Darrin Peterson announced his commitment to Kansas on Friday, giving Bill Self and the Jayhawks their highest-ranked recruit since 2016.

Peterson chose Kansas over a Final Four that included Ohio State, Kansas State and USC. The Jayhawks had been the presumptive favorite for months, but he took official visits with each of his other finalists.

“It was a very difficult decision,” Peterson told ESPN. “Ultimately, it was Bill Self’s coaching and the culture of their program. My heart and gut was with Kansas.

“I’m going to get a chance to play right now as a freshman, get ready for the draft and be dialed in to win. I’m not going to look back or look ahead. I’m going to be dialed in when I’m there.”

A 6-foot-6 shooting guard from Ohio who attended Prolific Prep (Calif.), Peterson is ranked No. 3 overall in the ESPN 100 for 2025. He is the No. 1-ranked shooting guard in the country.

Peterson became Kansas’ highest-ranked recruit since Josh Jackson in 2016 and the highest-ranked guard to join Self’s program since Xavier Henry — who was also the No. 3 overall pick in 2009.

“Bill Self is a legendary coach and he believes in me,” Peterson said. “He told me he’s going to hold me accountable every day and practice hard so the games come easy. As a person, he’s a high-energy guy who gives off a positive vibe. Someone you want to be around. He’s relatable.”

One of the most talented scorers in the country, Peterson has consistently put up huge offensive output on the adidas 3SSB circuit with the Phenom United program. In the spring and summer, Peterson averaged 23.8 points and 7.4 rebounds, including three games of at least 30 points. In July, he had 38 points and 11 rebounds against the Indiana Elite and 33 points on just 15 shots against the Compton Magic. He got to the free throw line at an incredibly high rate, taking eight per game and attempting 53 in a three-game stretch in July.

He also helped USA Basketball to a gold medal at the FIBA ​​U16 Americas Championship in the summer of 2023. He started 6 games averaging 16.8 points and 3.7 assists while shooting nearly 43% from 3-point range.

Aggressively attacking the basket and finding gaps with power, speed and changes of pace, Peterson is adept at drawing fouls thanks to his college-ready frame and ability to finish through contact. His motor and athletic ability are not in question. He manipulates defenders in ball-screen action by turning corners and threatening to score himself or create for a teammate. He can consistently make 3s to keep defenders from going down the screen. Defensively, he averages nearly three steals and two blocks and is dominant with his ability to grab rebounds and lead the break and pressure the defense in transition.

Peterson is Kansas’ first commitment in the 2025 class, but the Jayhawks are also in good shape for top-30 big man Bryson Tiller. Frontcourt prospects Samis Calderon and Mohamed Silao are on Kansas’ target list for 2025.