Arizona forward Koa Peat has confirmed he will stay in the NBA draft, ending any chance of returning to Tucson. The 6‑foot‑8 freshman, projected as a first‑rounder, withdrew his eligibility before the NCAA deadline on Wednesday night. Peat sits at No. 27 in ESPN’s latest mock draft, positioning him as a likely lottery candidate. Analysts project a late first‑round selection, aiding Arizona’s rebuild.

During his lone season, Peat averaged 14.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists, earning third‑team All‑Big 12 honors and helping Arizona capture both the regular‑season and conference titles. In the NCAA tournament he lifted his output to 17.2 points and 7.6 rebounds per game, including 21 points versus Arkansas and 20 in the Elite Eight win over Purdue. His tournament run raised his draft stock.

At the Chicago combine Peat posted a 34.5-inch vertical that ranked sixth among peers, but his shooting faltered, going 6‑for‑25 in the spot‑up drill and 7‑for‑25 in the three‑point star drill. Coach Tommy Lloyd now faces a frontcourt void; while interior staples Ivan Kharchenkov and Motiejus Krivas remain, the Wildcats must find a reliable starter beside them. Momcilovic remains under evaluation as a wing fix.