Doug Gottlieb compares Darryn Peterson to Kobe Bryant after Kansas' win over Green Bay

Green Bay’s Doug Gottlieb was the first college coach to have to prepare for a regular-season game against Kansas’ Darryn Peterson. And, clearly, he was impressed by the young star guard for the Jayhawks.

Gottlieb took to social media last night after coaching against Peterson in his collegiate debut, which came in a 94-51 win for No. 19 Kansas over Green Bay in Allen Fieldhouse. He would, after watching and game-planning against him, go as far as to compare him to an all-timer in the late, great Kobe Bryant.

Closest thing to Kobe I’ve seen. Kid is awesome https://t.co/TxRCCIh6nc

— Doug Gottlieb (@GottliebShow) November 4, 2025

“Closest thing to Kobe I’ve seen. Kid is awesome,” Gottlieb tweeted out after the game about Peterson.

That’s after Gottlieb was also very complimentary of Peterson in the postgame press conference. He called him “just a pro” and different, especially with how easy he made his performance look as a true freshman in his first-ever collegiate game.

“He’s great. He’s great. We loved him on film, more so than a lot of the other freshman around the country just because he just plays. And then, you know, end of the first half, they just go one-four flat – and, Preston Ruedinger is a tremendous defender, but he’s just, that’s just a pro, you know. Just rises up and makes a shot, so,” said Gottlieb. “It felt like he didn’t break a sweat. The term that a lot of coaches use is his sneakers squeak different, you know. That was literally the easiest 21. 21 in 21 minutes as a freshman? I mean, I thought our guys guarded. He’s just good. He’s really, really good.”

In the 43-point win over the Phoenix, Peterson finished with 21 points (7-11 FG, 3-7 3PT), four rebounds, three assists, two steals, a block, and a turnover. He simply did a little of everything, whether it be the shot-making, drives, or play-making on offense or more than enough defensively in the opening victory in Lawrence.

That’s after quite the preseason debut as well in a 90-82 victory at No. 11 Louisville. Now, in two games played as a Jayhawk, Peterson is averaging 23.5 points (55.2% FG, 52.9% 3PT on 4.5 makes), 4.0 rebounds, 3.5 steals, 3.5 turnovers, and 2.5 assists.

This was just the latest example of incredibly high praise for Peterson, who comes into college having been the No. 2 incoming recruit, behind only BYU’s AJ Dybantsa, in Rivals’ 2025 Industry Ranking. Bill Self has been incredibly high on him since his arrival, suggesting he may be the best or most complete freshman that he has ever coached. Scouts and experts have been just as captivated by him, whether it be in this season, as he’s already seen as one of the best players in the sport as Preseason All Big-12 and Freshman of the Year as well as in very early consideration for National Player of the Year, or going forward in his career when it comes to the 2026 NBA Draft.

If this outing was just the first game for him, Kansas could be in for a very exciting season getting to watch Peterson in The Phog. If Gottlieb’s comparison ends up even anywhere close too, college basketball has quite a young talent to follow this year at KU.