The University of Arizona has spent years turning out NBA talent, and as the 2026-27 season begins Tuesday, that pipeline looks as busy as ever. Sixteen former Wildcats are on active rosters, the third-most of any college program behind only Kentucky and Duke.
That list stretches across the league and covers every stage of an NBA career, from rookies trying to stick to veterans who have already carved out long runs. It also includes one of the game’s most successful active coaches in Golden State’s Steve Kerr.
Among the newcomers, Tobe Awaka has already given Chicago a reason to keep him around. The undrafted rookie signed a two-way deal with the Bulls and made their opening-day roster, a promising sign for his first year in the league.
In Milwaukee, Brayden Burries enters with bigger expectations after going 10th overall in the draft. He is not expected to start right away, but the Bucks appear ready to use him early, with Tyler Herro slated to open at shooting guard and Burries backing him up.
Koa Peat is in a similar spot in Phoenix, where the hometown Suns took him 30th overall. He did not flash much offense in the preseason, but his work on the boards and on defense should get him minutes right away. He could also end up sharing the front court with another Tommy Lloyd-coached forward, Drew Timme, who signed with Phoenix earlier this week.
Elsewhere, Jaden Bradley earned a four-year, $9.3 million deal from Toronto after what had to be an impressive first impression with the Raptors. He begins the season buried on the depth chart, but the contract shows the team sees something in him.
Carter Bryant heads into his second year in San Antonio looking for a larger role. As a rookie, he averaged 4.2 points and 2.5 rebounds in 11.5 minutes per game, and there is room for his offense to climb after he shot 40.8% from the field last season. At Arizona, he shot 46%.
Deandre Ayton has already moved again, this time joining Washington in early July after spending last season with the Lakers. He is expected to come off the bench behind Anthony Davis on a Wizards roster that also includes top overall draft pick AJ Dybantsa. Ayton’s numbers dipped last year, when he posted career lows in points at 12.5 and rebounds at 8.
Aaron Gordon is back in the mix in Denver for his 13th NBA season. After missing most of last year because of injuries, the 31-year-old is healthy again and, according to reports out of Denver, back to being himself.
Josh Green is also in new territory after a late-August trade sent him from Charlotte to Utah. The move gives the Jazz another former Wildcat alongside Lauri Markkanen, and Green will look to bump up from last year’s 4.3 points per game.
Markkanen remains the highest-paid former Arizona player on this list, carrying a base salary of $46 million. He has built an All-Star run in Salt Lake City over the past four seasons, and despite missing about half of last season because of injuries, he still averaged 26.7 points.
In Miami, Pelle Larsson cashed in with a four-year, $60 million contract after a strong second season that produced 11.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game. He may not crack the starting five to open the year, though, with Andrew Wiggins and Klay Thompson both in the mix.
Keshad Johnson is also back with the Heat for his third season, this time as a two-way player after appearing in 32 games last year and averaging 4.3 points and 1.9 rebounds. Miami’s front court is crowded, with Giannis Antetokounmpo leading the way.
Caleb Love gets a new look in Philadelphia, where he joins a 76ers group that also features LeBron James, the father of Arizona guard Bryce James. Love is not projected for major minutes in a deep backcourt, but his shot-making last year in Portland - 10.4 points in 49 appearances - showed what he can do when he’s rolling.
Bennedict Mathurin is moving again too, landing with the Pelicans on a two-year deal after stops with the Pacers and Clippers. The 24-year-old has settled into a sixth-man role and should continue in that lane after averaging 17.6 points and 5.4 rebounds last season.
TJ McConnell enters the year with some uncertainty after missing the entire preseason with an undisclosed injury. Once he’s back, the 34-year-old should again steady Indiana’s backcourt. He averaged 9.4 points and 5.1 assists last year and is eager to have Tyrese Haliburton back.
Zeke Nnaji remains one of the more puzzling cases on the Denver roster. Six seasons in, he still has not grown beyond a small role, and his place looks shaky. Last year he averaged 3.7 points and 2.6 rebounds.
One more former Wildcat is in Golden State this season: Williams. In his first year with the Warriors after three seasons with Dallas, the 26-year-old is competing for backup point guard minutes after posting a career-high 13 points per game across 66 games last season.
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Arizona Gets Its First Look At A Very Different Iowa State
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Even with the change in leadership, there is still enough talent on the roster to make this a tricky scouting assignment for the Wildcats. Quarterback Jaylen Raynor and running back Aiden Flora have given the offense some shape, while Isaac Terrell, Caden Crawford and Sullivan Schlimgen have helped anchor the defense. The bigger question for Arizona is how much of the old Iowa State identity remains and how quickly Rogers version of the Cyclones is starting to take hold. [Read more 🡒]
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For Arizona fans, the scope of that footprint is the real takeaway. Former Wildcats are battling for minutes, fighting to stick, and in some cases trying to turn strong preseason showings into something more permanent. And while the league-wide list is already impressive, there are still a few names tied to the program whose next steps have yet to fully come into focus. [Read more 🡒]