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It didn’t take long for University of Arizona freshman Koa Peat to make a name for himself on the college basketball stage. Peat, 18, made his debut for the Wildcats on Monday, November 3, scoring 30 points and adding seven rebounds and five assists in a 93-87 win over the University of Florida, the defending national champions. In doing so, Peat became just the second freshman in Big 12 history to record 30 or more points in their first game, joining Kansas State’s Michael Beasley who had 32 points in his debut in 2007. “It was a coming out party for him, so to speak,” Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd said after the game. “Everyone’s known about him, but no one’s really, really studied him and watched him, and he’s a special player.” For more about University of Arizona basketball phenom Koa Peat, keep reading. Koa Peat Is the Youngest of Seven Siblings Growing up in Gilbert, Arizona, Peat was raised in a busy and sports-centric household. Peat is the youngest of seven siblings, all of whom laid some athletic groundwork ahead of him. His oldest brother, Todd Jr., 33, played football at Nebraska, Eastern Arizona College and Texas A&M-Commerce. Koa’s brother Andrus, 32, played football at Stanford and is a 10-year veteran in the NFL, currently playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers. His brother Cassius, 28, played football at Michigan State and Virginia. Koa’s sisters Leilani, 25, and Maya, 23, both had college basketball careers. Leilani played at Seattle University and the University of San Francisco, while Maya played Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Texas Tech. Keona Peat, Koa’s youngest sibling, is currently a member of the University of Arizona football team. “Me and Koa growing up we’re like two peas in a pod,” Keona, 20, told the Arizona Republic in 2023. “We shared a room up until I was in high school. That’s my best friend. That’s who I do the most stuff with. I’ve known the most about. Although we go to different schools, we go to each other’s room, and we catch up.” Koa Peat’s Dad Used to Play in the NFL Koa is the youngest son of Todd Sr. and Jana Peat, both of whom have athletic backgrounds themselves. Todd Sr., 61, was an All-American at Northern Illinois and went on to a six-year NFL career as an offensive lineman with the Cardinals and Raiders. Jana played basketball, volleyball and softball in high school. “I have to pinch myself sometimes,” Jana told Cronkite Sports in November 2024 of her seven children. “I just can’t believe how God has blessed us. We just believe that every single one of them has been a blessing, and we’re just so grateful.” Koa Peat Helped Win a State Title With a Broken Hand Before arriving at the University of Arizona, Koa had a legendary high school basketball run at Gilbert Perry High School in Gilbert, Arizona, outside Phoenix. Koa helped Perry win four consecutive state championships, including his senior year when he played with a broken hand. “It was the will,” Perry coach Sam Duane Jr. told the Arizona Republic at the time. “Honestly, I’ve never had a player so determined to play in my career. He knew the risks.” Auburn Went to Great Lengths to Recruit Koa Peat Koa was heavily recruited by Auburn University before he ultimately committed to Arizona — which former Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl reminded him about after his historic college debut. “Hey, Koa. This is coach Bruce Pearl,” the former Auburn coach, 65, said to Koa during a postgame TV interview after the Florida victory. “Do you remember a couple of years ago when I traveled to Istanbul, Turkey, trying to chase you and AJ Dybantsa to maybe come to Auburn? And neither one of you even gave me a sniff. You remember that?” Dybantsa, another star of the 2025 freshman class, ended up committing to BYU. “Yeah, for sure, I do remember that,” Koa said. “AJ’s my guy, man.” Pearl announced he was stepping down as Auburn’s head coach in September. He was succeeded by his son, Steven. Koa Peat’s Name Has a Very Fitting Meaning Koa means “strong warrior” in Hawaiian. The name was chosen by his mother, Jana, who was born in Hawaii. After Koa’s star-making debut against Florida, he reposted a message by ESPN college basketball analyst Fran Fraschilla. “Koa means ‘strong warrior’ in Hawaiian. Mom knew something,” Fraschilla wrote.
