As conference play heats up across college basketball, Arizona's backcourt and frontcourt are both anchored by two players who are turning heads nationally - and not just among fans. CBS Sports recently ranked Jaden Bradley and Koa Peat among the top players in the country at their respective positions, and it’s not hard to see why. These two are doing more than just filling up box scores - they’re shaping Arizona’s identity as a legitimate national contender.
Jaden Bradley: The Closer, the Leader, the Lockdown Defender
Let’s start with Jaden Bradley, who was ranked the No. 3 “Initiator Point Guard” in the country.
Now in his third year with the Wildcats and his second as the lead floor general, Bradley has emerged as the heartbeat of this Arizona team. When the game tightens and the pressure ratchets up, it’s Bradley who gets the call - and he keeps answering.
In games that have gone down to the wire - think clutch time, final five minutes with a margin of five or fewer - Bradley has been surgical. He’s shooting an absurd 72.7% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc in those moments.
That’s not just efficient; that’s elite-level execution under pressure. Arizona has closed out tight wins over Florida, UCLA, and UConn with Bradley leading the charge, not just facilitating but finishing.
But Bradley’s impact doesn’t stop on the offensive end. He’s one of the premier on-ball defenders in the Big XII, tied for seventh in the conference in steals per game at 2.0, alongside teammate Ivan Karchenkov.
According to CBB Stats, he ranks in the 92nd percentile in defensive efficiency - a stat that factors in steals, blocks, and fouls. That’s the kind of two-way dominance that coaches dream about and opponents dread.
CBS Sports’ Isaac Trotter summed it up well: “Bradley is Arizona’s bulldog leader. He is a torrid on-ball defender who has refined his offensive craft and is ice-cold in the clutch.”
And the numbers back that up. In Arizona’s marquee wins over Florida, UCLA, UConn, Auburn, and Alabama, Bradley has averaged 18.4 points, 4.2 assists, and 3.8 rebounds per game, shooting 54.4% from the field and a scorching 55.5% from three. That’s not just solid - that’s First-Team All-American territory, as Jon Rothstein pointed out earlier this month.
Koa Peat: Power, Poise, and Playmaking
While Bradley is the steady hand at the helm, freshman Koa Peat has been the force of nature in the frontcourt. Ranked the No.
3 “Stretch 4/Big” by CBS Sports, Peat has brought physicality and finesse in equal measure to Arizona’s lineup. And he wasted no time making his presence felt.
Peat opened the season with a statement - 30 points, seven rebounds, and five assists in a win over defending national champion Florida. That wasn’t a flash in the pan, either.
Against high-major opponents, Peat is averaging 13.8 points, 4.9 boards, and 2.8 assists per game. He’s shooting 56.1% from the field and boasts a 59.3% effective field goal percentage, showcasing his efficiency in traffic and in transition.
Peat’s game is built on power, but there’s nuance too. Over 70% of his points have come in the paint, and more than 20% have come in transition - a testament to his ability to run the floor and finish. Whether it’s a rim-rattling drive or a smart push-ahead pass, Peat is constantly putting pressure on defenses.
Isaac Trotter described him as a “hammerhead shark” - a player who doesn’t go around defenders, but through them. That’s not just a metaphor. Peat’s physicality has been a problem for every team he’s faced, and his basketball IQ is already showing in his ability to make quick reads and secondary plays in transition.
After his explosive performances against Florida and Utah Tech - where he averaged 24 points, five rebounds, four assists, and 1.5 steals - Peat racked up both Big XII and national Player of the Week honors. He was quickly thrust into the conversation for the Waymon Tisdale Award, given to the nation’s top freshman.
Since then, his numbers have normalized a bit - 11.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game - but he’s still producing at a high level, especially when it counts. He dropped 16 points at UConn and 18 against Auburn, proving he can deliver against top-tier competition. Alabama managed to hold him to just six, but Arizona will need Peat firing on all cylinders as they chase a Big XII title and a deep NCAA tournament run.
Arizona’s Two-Headed Star Power
What makes this Arizona team so dangerous is the balance between Bradley and Peat. One is the seasoned vet who thrives in pressure-packed moments and locks down the perimeter.
The other is the freshman phenom who brings power, pace, and polish to the paint. Together, they’re giving Arizona one of the most dynamic inside-out duos in college basketball.
With Bradley's poise and Peat’s punch, Arizona isn’t just competing - they’re contending. And as conference play begins, the Wildcats have two stars capable of carrying them deep into March.