1 transfer portal target Kansas basketball must sign to replace Darryn Peterson

Kansas basketball looks ready to produce its 38th first rounder ever. That also means the Jayhawks must replace Darryn Peterson. The star Kansas freshman saw heartbreak already after the epic St. John’s buzzer beater ended his and KU’s season.

Peterson’s likely replacement isn’t via the College Basketball Recruiting trail. Even with four-star shooting guard Luke Barnett representing the 2026 class.

Head coach Bill Self must lean into the College Basketball Transfer Portal too. There’s one March Madness star already linked to Self and the Jayhawks.

And he’s the one player KU must sign to take over for Peterson.

Who Kansas, Bill Self must sign in portal

Kansas is courting VCU star Terrence Hill.

The shooting guard ended North Carolina’s season in round one of the NCAA Tournament. Hill dropped an astonishing 34 points on the Tar Heels, which became the final UNC game for head coach Hubert Davis.

Self and the Jayhawks likely watched Hill’s cold-blooded side against the Heels.

VCU LEADS #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/GsJ0arWPNz

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 20, 2026

Hill averaged 15 points per game with VCU. Crazy part is, Hill was a sixth man for the Rams. He earned the A-10’s Sixth Man of the Year award in coming off the bench and earned the conference’s Most Improved Player nomination.

Hill looks more like a starting five option at his next stop. The 6-foot-3 talent displays a quick release on catch-and-shoot plays. He’s a shot creator too, as 25% of his long range baskets came without needing an assist.

The presence of Hill would’ve helped greatly for Kansas against the Red Storm. St. John’s packed the paint against Peterson and made him settle for threes. That approach also took away Flory Bidunga from consistently scoring down low. Hill would’ve handed Self a needed bail out option from behind the arc.

Why Kansas, Terrence Hill must become a pairing

Peterson’s pending departure is the chief reason, yet not the sole one.

Hill brings strong passing acumen too on the floor. He’s smart with distributing the ball and rarely turns it over. He can form a strong duo with Taylen Kinney in the backcourt.

Kansas still needs to find a high volume scorer post Peterson. Hill presents the Jayhawks with shooting touch, March Madness experience and a strong off-ball skillset.

Self and the coaching staff must unlock him more on defense, Hill’s biggest flaw on the floor. They must instill confidence in Hill that he can attack in the paint too and not just rely on the 3-pointer. But KU increases its chances to surpass the second round and push for the Final Four by adding the mid-major star.

The post 1 transfer portal target Kansas basketball must sign to replace Darryn Peterson appeared first on ClutchPoints.