Arizona’s Koa Peat just inside 1st round of Jeremy Woo mock draft

Arizona Wildcats freshman forward Koa Peat remains a first-round pick in the ESPN analyst Jeremy Woo’s mock draft published Tuesday.

But not by much.

After landing with the New York Knicks at No. 24 overall in Woo’s post-NBA Draft combine mock draft, the Wildcat finds himself three spots lower with the Boston Celtics at No. 27.

As for Peat’s shooting woes from the combine last week, which teams expressed concerns regarding “what appeared to be fully reworked jump-shot mechanics,” Woo offers up a path toward masking his deficiencies.

The door remains open for him to return to Arizona, which would give him additional time to solve those issues, with his shot viewed as the primary factor holding him back from having a solid NBA career. Whether he figures it out, his future might ultimately be as a small-ball five, a role that would allow him to use his strength and skill to his advantage while mitigating the potential negative impact of his shot.

Peat is coming off a successful freshman year at Arizona as one of the key pieces to the team’s Final Four run.

In 36 games played, Peat averaged 14.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists for the Wildcats.

He shot 52.8% from the field and 35% from deep, though only took 20 shots from long range and made seven.

Peat also shot 62.3% from the free-throw line.

His poor shooting was then in the spotlight at the combine, where Peat went 6-for-25 in the 3-point drill and 6-for-25 (24%) on the spot-up shooting drill.

If Peat stays in the draft, teams picking in the 20s will have to consider investing in his development, noting his winning history, sturdy frame, and potential two-way versatility, provided he starts to make open jumpers. The Celtics have done a strong job with internal development and could view this as a value opportunity if he falls.

Where did other Arizona products end up?

Going No. 11 overall in the first round of Woo’s mock draft was freshman shooting guard Brayden Burries.

Senior guard Jaden Bradley, meanwhile, went in the second round at No. 51 overall to the Washington Wizards.

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