The 2026 NBA Draft kicked off with a splash of Arizona pride as two of the Wildcats’ standouts heard their names called in the first round. Brayden Burries slid to the tenth overall pick, landing with the Milwaukee Bucks, while Koa Peat followed at the thirtieth slot, drafted by the Dallas Mavericks, though a move to the Phoenix Suns is on the table.
Head coach Tommy Lloyd, who has guided the program to a new era of NBA production, lauded both prospects for their blend of skill and work ethic. “Brayden’s relentless drive and Koa’s competitive fire are exactly what the league values,” Lloyd said, emphasizing that the duo’s character matches their talent.
A Legacy in the Making
The selections mark the sixth and seventh draft picks under Lloyd’s tenure, cementing Arizona’s reputation as a factory of NBA talent. Burries becomes only the second Wildcat ever chosen by the Bucks, echoing the 1976 pick of Jim Rappis, while Peat joins a distinguished lineage of former Wildcats who have thrived in Phoenix, from Deandre Ayton to Steve Kerr.
Their arrivals add to a historic night for the Big 12, which set a record with nine players drafted in the opening round, underscoring the conference’s depth and the Wildcats’ pivotal role within it.
The draft will continue on Wednesday night, with other Arizona alumni such as Jaden Bradley, Tobe Awaka and Anthony Dell’Orso hoping to hear their names called, promising further extensions of the program’s NBA footprint.