Next week’s NBA Draft will spotlight two former Arizona Wildcats, Brayden Burries and Koa Peat, who are projected to hear their names called as they transition to the professional ranks.
Their draft prospects come amid a broader landscape where a dozen or more Arizona alumni are carving out careers abroad, competing in leagues from Japan’s B‑League to the Chinese Basketball Association and the Israeli Premier League.
While some, such as Tobe Awaka, Jaden Bradley and Anthony Dell’Orso, remain uncertain about NBA opportunities, they have embraced overseas contracts, often delivering solid statistical outputs that keep them on the radar of international scouts.
The reach of Arizona’s program extends well beyond the NBA, with more than 30 former players currently active in professional basketball across Europe, Asia, Oceania and the Americas.
In Japan, Rawle Alkins has been a standout, averaging 19.6 points, 9.6 rebounds and 5.9 assists for the B‑League side in Kobe, while Brandon Ashley contributes 13.4 points and 6.9 rebounds for Altiri Chiba. Angelo Chol, also based in Akita, posts 7.1 points and 5 rebounds, and Kyle Fogg adds 10.7 points and 1.9 assists for the Shanghai Sharks in China.
The East Asia Super League has seen further contributions from Rondae Hollis‑Jefferson, who earned All‑Defensive Team honors with the Meralco Bolts, and Grant Jerrett, who leads Utsunomiya Brex with 21.3 points and 7.7 rebounds per game.
A Mosaic of Leagues
Other notable performances include Stanley Johnson’s 21.9‑point output for Nagasaki Velca, Ryan Luther’s steady presence in Osaka, and Keanu Pinder’s 16.3‑point average for the same Akita squad. In Europe, players like Dusan Ristic (Kawasaki Brave Thunders) and Brandon Randolph (Zhejiang Golden Bulls) continue to post double‑digit scoring figures, while Nico Mannion provides depth for Olimpia Milano in Italy. The diversity of destinations underscores a global appetite for Arizona‑trained talent, a trend that bodes well for the program’s future as its alumni network expands across continents.