Mr. Arizona will get to begin his pro career in his home state.
Arizona forward Koa Peat was taken 30th overall in the 2026 NBA Draft on Tuesday night, the final selection of the first round. He was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks but is headed to the Phoenix Suns in a trade that also involved the New York Knicks.
The 6-foot-8 Peat helped the UA return to the Final Four for the first time in 25 years in his lone college season, averaging 14.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists. His career started with a bang, going for 30 points, seven rebounds and five assists against defending national champion Florida, and in the NCAA Tournament he averaged 17.2 points and 7.6 rebounds.
Yet a disappointing performance at the NBA Draft Combine in May led to speculation that Peat might opt to return to the UA for another season. The school had saved a roster spot was reportedly prepared to pay him a lot to come back, but Peat bet on himself and became the 29th 1st-round pick to play for the Wildcats, moving past Indiana for 7th-most in NBA history.
Peat joins UA teammate Brayden Burries, who went 10th overall to the Milwaukee Bucks, to give the Wildcats multiple 1st-round selections for the sixth time in school history and first since 2022.
A native of Gilbert, Ariz., Peat won four state titles with Perry High School before joining the UA.
He is the second 1st rounder in his family, as older brother Andrus Peat was taken in the 1st round of the 2015 NFL Draft and is heading into his 12th pro season. They’re the second siblings to be 1st-round picks in different sports, joining ex-ASU wide receiver Jordan Tyson (NFL, 2026) and 2024 NBA draftee Jaylon Tyson.
