Koa Peat is among the top 2025 college basketball prospects and has received considerable attention from major college programs. Peat, a consensus top-5 recruit, recently updated his recruiting and discussed future plans. He recently revealed to On3 Jaime Shaw that he is down to 10 schools, including three “Blue Bloods.”
“I narrowed my list to ten. I’ve taken official visits to UNC, Texas, Houston, and Michigan. The Michigan visit was with the old staff, they’re not really in the mix now…. Duke, Arizona, Arizona State, Houston, Baylor, UCLA, and Arkansas are the other schools on my list.”
Son Of Former NFL Star Down To 10 Schools, Who Is Pushing Hard And Who May Have Inside Track
Peat was back on the grassroots circuit last weekend at The Adidas 3SSB after winning gold with Team USA in Turkey. As would be expected, Peat drew the attention of several major program coaching staffs during his inaugural game of the tournament, including head coaches Bruce Pearl (Auburn), Mark Few (Gonzaga), Bill Self (Kansas), Pat Kelsey (Louisville), and Dusty May (Michigan). Meanwhile, assistant coaches from North Carolina, UCLA, Texas, and UConn also watched him play.
Who Is Koa Peat?
Peat, born January 20, 2007, in Gilbert, Arizona, is the son of former NFL player Todd and Jana Peat. Todd Peat was an NFL lineman for six years (Cardinals and Raiders) in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He has six siblings who played/play college or professionally, including Todd Peat Jr. (Nebraska/Texas A&M Commerce football), Andrus Peat (New Orleans Saints/Los Angeles Raiders), and Cassius Peat (Michigan State/Virginia). Additionally, two sisters played college basketball.
Peat has played varsity at Gilbert High School since 2021. The 2023 USA Male Basketball Athlete of the Year and 2023-24 Arizona Gatorade Player of the Year averaged 20.2 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 2.2 blocks this past season. He also has been part of USA Basketball since 2022, helping the US win three Golds for U16 and U17 teams.
“I’ve been shooting it well,” Peat told On3. “My reads and my ball skills have developed over the past few months. Defensively, I’m showing that I’m a good shot blocker and that I’m a switchable defender.
In seven 2024 FIBA World Cup U17 games, Peat averaged 17.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.9 steals. He compiled a shooting slash line of 62.5/20.0/63.6% over 18 minutes a contest.
Peat holds over 30 scholarship offers. The 6-8 220-pound power forward has received a lot of hype due to their strength, rebounding ability, skill in the post, offensive repertoire, and athleticism.
Peat is a consensus 5+ star prospect and the No. 5 prospect in the 2025 class. He is rated in the top 10 of all major recruiting, with ESPN listing him as the highest at fourth, while On3 has him as the lowest at ninth.
Here is On3’s scouting report on Peat:
“Koa Peat has a naturally strong frame, with long arms and broad shoulders. On the ball, Peat plays with a confidence in both the half and full court. He is a good rebounder and able to push the break in transition. With his lengthy frame, there is upside on defense, especially guarding off the ball. This summer, Peat showed a tendency to settle for jump shots. When getting downhill, he lacks counters off the bounce, and his hips look stiff, attacking mostly in straight lines. The form on the jump shot, the release specifically, looks clean and consistent, leading to the thought he could grow into being a shooting threat.”
Peat Talks Top 9 Schools
Here is a look at Peat’s Top nine schools, as Michigan isn’t really involved. Peat has taken five visits, four official and one unofficial. Houston was his latest official visit on June 6. He told Shaw that while he doesn’t have any other official visits planned, he would probably visit all his top schools.
“I’m still open to listening to what anyone has to say,” Peat said. “My dad always tells me to not leave any stones unturned, so I want to listen to everybody. I’m not sure if I’m going to sign early yet or not. I’m really taking this whole process day by day and looking for when it feels right. I’ll know.
“I’m looking for the relationship building with the coaches and the development piece. I’m looking to get better. I want to play in a system with a coach that will let me play my game. i want to be able to play inside, and out and have them develop me.
“Playing for a team that is switchable and for a coach that harps on defense. I want to play for a coach where we have a lot of trust, someone I know is going to develop me every day.”
Arkansas Razorbacks
Arkansas hasn’t officially offered Peat. However, the Razorbacks are pursuing him hard:
“They come to all my stuff. Coach Cal (John Calipari) says that I’m and winner and he wants to coach that. He says he loves everything about me and how I impact winning.”
Arizona Wildcats:
Arizona was one of the first four teams to offer Peat. Peat took an unofficial to Arizona on February 17.
“They’ve been great through the recruiting process, building a relationship with them. Everyone has been cool. I get to go down there a lot and get to see it because it’s not that far.”
Arizona State Sun Devils:
Like Arizona, Arizona offered Peat on May 30, 2021.
“It’s cool to see all the big recruits he’s [Bobby Hurley] been getting, so obviously he’s been doing something right. He always lets me know how much he wants me, and he calls me all the time. It’s right down the street and my brother goes there, so it is good to see that. I definitely want to take a visit there.”
Baylor Bears:
Baylor offered Peat in September 2022.
“Scott Drew is a great guy. He always talks with me and my dad, and the stuff he says to us is great. He is a great coach and they have a new squad this year so it will be cool to see them again. I definitely want to take a visit there because they’ve been recruiting me since the ninth grade.”
Duke Blue Devils:
Duke offered Peat last August.
“They are always just a winning school so it’ll be cool to watch them this season with all the talent they have and I’m excited to keep building a relationship with them.”
Houston Cougars:
Houston offered a scholarship on April 25, 2023. He took a visit to Houston on June 6, 2023.
“Things are good there. When I went on my visit there it was really good. It was good to see how they play so hard, I mean, they don’t fake it. They play defense hard and they’re on their guys and that was cool to see. Guys are definitely getting better in that gym.”
“If things get down to it, and I think they might, I might have to take another visit. You got to really think it out during the process, it’s a big decision.”
Texas Longhorns:
Texas is the third school to make Peat’s top 10. The Longhorns offered him back in May 2021. He visited Texas on September 29.
“They’re really big on their brand, they have a great brand. Coach (Rodney) Terry is a great coach and they are really big on me coming in there and being the man. That’s kind of what they’re saying to me.”
UCLA Bruins:
UCLA offered Peat in June 2021.
“They’re a great school. It’s a Compton Magic foundation, so I definitely have to consider them. Mick Cronin is an excellent coach.”
UNC Tar Heals
North Carolina offered Peat last April and received an official visit on November 10.
“They’ve been recruiting me hard. They’ve been coming to a lot of my stuff, my games. They text me and contact me often and really harp on how much they want me.”
Who Are The Early Favorites For Peat?
Shaw believes that Peat will end up at Duke but was only 30% confident in his pick. Texas, Houston, Arizona, and UNC are also seen as major players. Additionally, despite not offering Peat, Arkansas should be considered a heavy hitter, as Calipari is reportedly paying close attention.
