Once tipped as a potential top-five pick just a season ago, Koa Peat's draft stock has taken another hit. The Arizona standout's shaky performance in shooting drills at the 2026 NBA Draft Combine has raised fresh concerns about his long-range game.
Peat struggled mightily from beyond the arc, connecting on just 6 of 25 attempts in both the 3-point star drill and the spot-up shooting drill—numbers that placed him near the bottom among all prospects present. While the 19-year-old forward impressed with his athletic testing, his inability to knock down perimeter shots is a glaring weakness that scouts can no longer ignore.
This rough outing continues a downward trend that began after the NCAA Tournament. With his draft stock now in question, there's growing speculation that Peat might opt to return to Arizona for his sophomore season. Another year in college could give him the chance to refine his shooting mechanics and rebuild his value ahead of the 2027 draft.
During his freshman campaign, Peat put up solid numbers—14.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 0.7 blocks per game over 36 contests. But in today's NBA, where floor spacing is king, a wing who can't consistently hit from deep faces an uphill battle. For Peat, the path to the pros just got a little steeper.
