For the next month before the 2026 NBA Draft, we’ll take an in-depth look at different prospects here at Liberty Ballers and try to figure out which players would be the best fit for the Sixers at No. 22. Next up in this series is Arizona’s Koa Peat.
Koa Peat was considered one of the top recruits in the country coming out of high school. He was named the state of Arizona’s Gatorade Player of the Year as a sophomore, junior and senior. He was considered the third-best recruit by ESPN and Rivals. He decided
to stay in his home state and play for the Wildcats. He enjoyed plenty of success at Arizona, earning nods for the Big 12 All-Freshman Team and Third Team All-Big 12. The Wildcats were one of the best teams in the country all season long, making it to the Final Four, where they were eliminated by national champion Michigan.
Peat was one of the last players to officially keep their name in the 2026 NBA Draft as he weighed a return for his sophomore season. He decided to chase his NBA dreams now instead of taking an NIL payday.
Profile
2023-24 Stats: 36 games, 27.8 minutes, 14.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.7 blocks, 52.8% FG, 35.0% 3P, 62.3% FT
Team: Arizona
Year: Freshman
Position: PF
Height & Weight: 6’7” | 245.0 lbs
Born: January 20, 2007 (19 years old)
Hometown: Gilbert, Arizona
Strengths
Literal strength is one of Peat’s strengths. He doesn’t have an NBA-ready frame — he has an NFL edge rusher frame. And it’s not just for show. Peat was one of the most physically dominant players in college basketball. He’s tough, physical and plays hard and fast. Put all that together with his above-average athleticism and you’ve got something to work with.
While the physical profile stands out, Peat is also an extremely smart player. He’s a good cutter, which led to many easy baskets since Peat is an elite play finisher, either with vicious dunks or touch around the rim. He’s a strong passer, spraying out to shooters against double teams or finding bigs with accurate high-low dimes. He has decent footwork in the post and showed ability to elevate and knock down midrange jumpers.
There are some raw components to Peat’s defensive game, but the effort, energy and physical prowess are intriguing. There’s no forward who will outmuscle him and he’s flashed ability to switch on the perimeter. The stocks numbers aren’t prolific, but it’s possible Peat could become a disruptive defensive player at the NBA level. He’s quick off the floor with a quick second jump, which makes him a great offensive rebounder and a good one overall.
Weaknesses
The shot. Really, that might be the only true weakness, but it’s rough.
He took only 20 threes on the season, making seven. He hit 62.3% of his free throws. He does show touch around the rim and the ability to elevate for short jumpers with a high release, but it’s hard to know if it will ever translate. He uses the same high release on threes and it just doesn’t look pretty.
There are ways to insulate non-shooters in the NBA, especially ones who are as versatile as Peat. But it could limit his ability to play in certain lineups and matchups at the next level. While the physicality, athleticism and size were a serious advantage in college, he will run into much stiffer competition on a nightly basis as a pro. He has special traits, but will those special traits come through if he doesn’t develop a reliable shot?
Positional Fit
In some ways, Peat is a perfect fit with the Sixers at the four, as The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie mentioned in his latest mock. He can live in the dunker spot and hit the offensive glass or screen and roll for Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe. His passing ability would be welcomed, especially some of the high-low passing we saw at Arizona. He’ll provide energy, physicality and versatility on the defensive end — all things this team needs.
It all comes down to the shot. He’s theoretically insulated well with the Sixers’ starting group. Kelly Oubre Jr. has done a nice job with that group as a mostly non-shooter, but Oubre is at the very least a willing shooter. Though their starting group has shooting, their bench basically has none. So, how does Peat survive with bench-heavy lineups/will Mike Gansey and company acquire more shooting for the bench?
Draft Projection
SB Nation mock draft: No. 26, Denver Nuggets
For a lot of the season, Peat was considered an easy lottery pick. Some even considered him a top-10 pick. The shooting concerns were never quelled and so his stock has taken a hit. The mid-to-late 20s makes sense for him. While there are things to like about Peat, the Sixers can likely do better at pick 22. Someone like Allen Graves, Dailyn Swain or Chris Cenac could be available in that range. But there are scenarios where the board might fall Peat’s way and have him selected earlier. Again, he does have traits worth betting on.
