Darryn Peterson believes he has finally identified the reason for his cramping issues at Kansas. The 19-year-old experienced a mixed freshman year, showing immense skill but also suffering from injuries and cramping, which limited him to just 24 games.
Despite these issues, Peterson declared for the 2026 NBA Draft after one season. He is expected to be a top pick.
Creatine Blamed for Peterson’s Ailments
Peterson said he finally figured out why he was plagued by cramping issues last season, attributing it to taking high doses of creatine, according to ESPN.
“I’d never taken it before [he got to college],” Peterson said of the supplement. “But after the season I took two weeks off and they did tests which showed my baseline level was already high. So, they said when I dosed, it must’ve made the levels unsafe.”
Traumatic Experience During Boot Camp
Cramping issues often limited Peterson’s minutes as a freshman. His scariest injury scare came before the season during the team’s annual boot camp in September when he was taken to the hospital after experiencing a full-body cramp.
He recounted the experience to ESPN, saying he thought he “was going to die on the training table that day.”
“I made it to the training room and just started begging them to call 911,” he said. “They were trying to get a vein to get me the IV, get me back hydrated. But I was cramping so hard they couldn’t get a vein.
“I thought I was going to die on the training table that day.”
Peterson was eventually given multiple IVs and dealt with soreness for days after the incident, but pushed to return to the court.
Increased Playing Time Despite Concerns
While unsure what caused his frequent cramping at the time, Peterson increased his playing time by the end of the season. He played at least 30 minutes in nine of Kansas’ final 13 games, including both NCAA tournament contests.
Despite a loss to St. John’s in the second round, Peterson averaged 20.2 points and 4.2 rebounds as a freshman. He is still considered one of the top prospects.
If Peterson’s cramping issues are truly behind him, that should further solidify his draft status ahead of the first round, slated for June 23.