Suns’ rookie Koa Peat’s emotional reaction to being drafted

Peat and family’s reaction to being drafted by Suns:

Surrounded by friends and family, Peat dissolved into his mother’s arms, while his father is losing his mind about seeing his son secure his dream. The moment is sweet for fans in Arizona, as they’ve seen the 19-year-old’s journey first hand. Seeing him win multiple state titles at Perry and helping Arizona get to the Final Four for the first time in decades. Peat has put the state on the map for basketball and continues to do that joining the Suns.

After his prolific high school career, the 6’8 forward was a top 10 nationally ranked recruit and committed to UofA. He was viewed as a projected lottery pick, but his production didn’t meet the expectations of scouts. Peat only averaged 14.3 points and had no outside shot, leading to him dropping nearly out of the first round.

However, general manager Brian Gregory and his staff reportedly still had Peat as a top 20 prospect and knew they needed to jump at the chance to bring back the hometown kid. For next season, the motivation of playing at home and dropping down the draft board could lead to Peat proving doubters and scouts wrong. The size and power he possess makes him a beast and an exciting Suns player to watch in 2026.