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Arizona Wildcats star plummets in NBA mock drafts for 2026 NBA Draft
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- Arizona Wildcats star plummets in NBA mock drafts for 2026 NBA Draft
Arizona 's Koa Peat was considered a possible NBA lottery pick in the 2026 NBA Draft in many projections leading up to the NBA draft combine.
But a poor shooting performance at the combine has seen him plummet in recent NBA mock draft projections for the 2026 NBA Draft on June 23 and June 24, leading many to speculate that he could return to Arizona for his sophomore season instead of remaining in the draft.
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Peat can withdraw from the draft and still maintain his college eligibility as late as 8:59 p.m. MST on May 27.
Check out the latest NBA draft projections for Peat in 2026 NBA mock drafts.
What should Peat, who averaged 14.1 points per game and 5.6 rebounds per game in his freshman season with the Wildcats, do?
Related: Koa Peat 'fully focused' on NBA draft, not ruling out Arizona return
Yahoo Sports : Koa Peat picked No. 32 overall by Memphis Grizzlies
The site has Peat going with the second pick in the second round of the NBA draft.
Kevin O'Connor writes: "After selecting Boozer and Philon in the first round, Memphis lands a former projected lottery pick here with Peat. He's someone who could fortify the bench unit and play as a 4 in lineups when Boozer plays the 5. Peat is powerful, physical, relentless, and it genuinely takes something special to stop him from getting to where he wants to go. He opened the season with a 30-point game against defending champion Florida and backed it up as one of Arizona's best players all year. The concern is that he doesn't really shoot, doesn't create for himself off the dribble without assistance, and he's not going to wow anyone as a vertical athlete."
NBC Sports : Koa Peat not included in first-round NBA mock draft
The site doesn't have Peat being selected among the top 30 picks in the 2026 NBA Draft in its latest projection.
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Bleacher Report : Koa Peat taken by Dallas Mavericks with No. 30 pick in first round of 2026 NBA Draft
Jonathan Wasserman writes: "The last two months have been mixed for Koa Peat. He had a very productive NCAA tournament (17.2 points, 7.6 rebounds) all the way to the Final Four. He did not help himself at the NBA combine, where he measured 6'7", bombed shooting drills and finished near the bottom in multiple athletic tests. Scouts aren't writing off the strong, explosive interior scorer who can make mid-range shots and pass. But they're also calling for him to return to improve his three-point range and elevate a weaker 2027 draft class."
ESPN : Koa Peat drafted by Boston Celtics with No. 27 overall pick
Jeremy Woo writes: "Peat was a hot topic at the combine, as teams expressed concern over what appeared to be fully reworked jump-shot mechanics as he struggled in shooting drills. The door remains open for him to return to Arizona, which would give him additional time to solve those issues, with his shot viewed as the primary factor holding him back from having a solid NBA career. Whether he figures it out, his future might ultimately be as a small-ball five, a role that would allow him to use his strength and skill to his advantage while mitigating the potential negative impact of his shot. If Peat stays in the draft, teams picking in the 20s will have to consider investing in his development, noting his winning history, sturdy frame, and potential two-way versatility, provided he starts to make open jumpers. The Celtics have done a strong job with internal development and could view this as a value opportunity if he falls."
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Read more: Arizona's Koa Peat declares for draft, Brayden Burries makes late call
On3 : Koa Peat projected to be picked by Memphis Grizzlies at No. 32 overall
The site has Peat being the second pick in the second round of the 2026 NBA Draft.
Is Koa Peat a first-round NBA draft pick? Not in all current projections for the 2026 NBA Draft.
The Ringer : Koa Peat No. 27 on NBA big board for 2026 MBA Draft
J. Kyle Mann writes: "The jumper is a charged subject of debate—and the hinge point of his projection. Only 5 percent of Peat's field goal attempts came from beyond the arc. He has been so savvy at manipulating spacing when 7-foot-2 center Mo Krivas has shared the floor with him that his lack of a 3-ball hasn't been a problem, but that dance will get harder and harder at the next level."
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More Wildcats: Decisions loom as roster transition heats up for Arizona basketball
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com . Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: NBA mock drafts 2026 have Koa Peat plummeting in projections
