Kansas guard Peterson feared death from creatine cramps
Kansas guard Darryn Peterson, a projected top-five pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, suffered severe body-wide cramping in September that led him to fear for his life. He required hospitalization after collapsing during practice, unable to receive an IV due to intense muscle spasms. Peterson told ESPN the episode stemmed from high doses of creatine on top of his elevated baseline levels.
Peterson said he reached the training room and begged trainers to call 911. "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," he recounted. "I thought I was going to die on the training table that day."
The cramping sidelined Peterson for 11 games and limited his minutes in others during the season. Kansas coach Bill Self adjusted his role to off-ball play to reduce exertion. Peterson tried daily rehab, massages, carb-loading, electrolytes including Liquid IV and LMNT, and diet changes including meal-prepping.
Peterson averaged 20.2 points per game and logged at least 30 minutes in eight of Kansas's final nine games after stopping creatine, with no further issues. He had not used the supplement before college; tests after a two-week offseason break revealed his naturally high baseline, making added doses unsafe.
