Koa Peat can stay in the 2026 NBA Draft and likely be a mid-to-late first-round pick.
Or he could return to college and play for Arizona, leading the Cats back to the Final Four and playing his way into the top of next year’s draft by showing an improved outside shot and even more playmaking ability.
He could also return and get injured, fail to show improvement, not be part of another historic season and waste a year of his professional career.
Unfortunately none of us, be it writers, fans or even
Koa himself, know what will happen based on the decision he makes. The future is anything but guaranteed, and with the May 27 early entry withdrawal deadline getting closer by the day Mr. Arizona will have a very difficult and important decision to make.
Meanwhile, those Arizona fans are a bit on edge.
To wit: Upon watching this video of Peat and fellow Arizona Wildcat Brayden Burries from the NBA Draft Lottery, a friend of mine texted saying the “interview doesn’t sound promising” with regards to Peat returning to Tucson.
I’m sure he wasn’t alone in that thinking.
Then, on Monday Arizona picked up a transfer big who projects to be a backup to Mo Krivas, Peat measured in about as expected and then the draft hopeful went out and shot the ball rather poorly at the NBA Combine.
Given that, it’s understandable if hope for another season of Koa at Arizona remains.
However it’s worth remembering that Peat is in the NBA Draft until he’s not, and he initially declared for a reason. It’s possible his goal was primarily to go through the process and learn what the NBA is looking for him to improve, but it’s more likely he entered his name into the draft because he genuinely believed he was ready to make the jump to the professional ranks.
One should keep that in mind when trying to understand why Peat could be having a difficult time deciding a return to college is what’s best for him, assuming it’s even a consideration. There may also be some appeal in being chosen later in the draft. While prestige and a better contract comes with being a lottery pick, a lifetime winner like Peat may have no problem landing with a better team later in round one.
So while many of us may see a player who would benefit from another year at Arizona, the player himself could very easily and justifiably disagree.
After all, nothing says he can’t fix or improve his shooting and other skills in the NBA.
For Arizona’s sake, if Peat stays in the draft there should be no shortage of confidence in the roster Tommy Lloyd will continue to build. The returns of Krivas and Ivan Kharchenkov along with newcomers Caleb Holt, Cameron Holmes, Derek Dixon, J.J. Mandaquit and Ugnius Jarusevicius already make for a good team that could surprise — similar to last season’s — if certain players take the expected step forward in their development.
Of course if Peat returns to Tucson the Cats instantly become favorites to make the Final Four again.
No pressure, right?
A sophomore Peat would be a kind of player the Wildcats rarely have, as players of his stature and caliber have generally gone the one-and-done route. Further, it would mean bringing back the starting frontcourt from a team that reached the Final Four in large part due to its bigs. Yes, there are other key players/roles Arizona must replace or fill, but they would walk onto most every court with a considerable advantage up front and an even greater margin for error when it comes to other players elevating their game.
Is that something Peat is considering while deciding on his future? Is it something he even should be considering?
Maybe and no.
While we would love for nothing more than players who go to Arizona to care first and foremost about bringing the program glory, the truth is most — especially those with legitimate NBA aspirations — always view Tucson as a pit stop along the way to a greater destination. This isn’t to say they don’t care about the program, fans, city or anything but themselves, because they certainly do. Just, likely not to the same level we as fans do and certainly not at the expense of their futures.
Peat, in particular, certainly did everything he could for Arizona in his freshman season, helping bring the program to heights it hadn’t reached in more than a decade. Even in the season-ending loss to Michigan he was the one player who never backed down and continued to not only battle, but play with confidence. He was Arizona’s leading scorer and rebounder, even making all three of his free throws and his lone 3-point attempt.
If that ends up being his final game in an Arizona uniform, fans should be nothing but thankful for what Peat provided in his lone season with the team. The Wildcats don’t have the season they did without him, and he will no doubt represent the program and school well wherever he lands at the next level.
However if Peat chooses to return he’ll have the opportunity to truly go down as an all-time Arizona great, especially if his game takes another step forward and the Cats season ends in Detroit, ideally with confetti raining down onto his head and him cutting down a net. In the process he could easily play his way into next year’s draft lottery.
What will Peat do? The 19-year-old has a lot to consider, but the decision is his to make. Whether he stays in the draft or returns for another year at Arizona, Wildcats fans should always root for the kid.
