Suns’ Koa Peat wakes up every day with draft hit list – ‘I’m gonna kill everybody in front of me’

LAS VEGAS– Koa Peat is accustomed to winning; look at his career before being drafted by the Phoenix Suns. A 4-time Gatorade Player of the Year, 4-time high school state champion, and an Olympic Gold medal with USA Basketball are noteworthy accomplishments. Mind you, he’s 19 years old.

He’s a winner, so when Peat fell to No. 30 in the 2026 NBA Draft, he was shocked. There were some concerns about his shooting and perimeter game, but everything else spoke for itself. The inside ability, ball-handling, playmaking, and sheer physicality were all commendable traits that his peers didn’t exude as well.

The Phoenix rookie addressed feeling underestimated during his introductory press conference. Weeks later in Las Vegas, that emotion hasn’t left.

“I’m out there. I’m going to compete every night and go my hardest,” Peat explained after the Suns’ 95-88 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday.

“It don’t matter where I got drafted, but obviously, I’m waking up every day thinking about the 29 guys that got picked ahead of me and coming in with a killer mindset. I’m gonna kill everybody in front of me.”

Koa Peat on playing with added motivation.

"I'm out there. I'm going to compete every night and go my hardest. It don't matter where I got drafted, but obviously, I'm waking up every day thinking about the 29 guys that got picked ahead of me and coming in with a killer mindset.… pic.twitter.com/rgyUCkDm0y

— Hayden Cilley (@HaydenCilley) July 14, 2026

Koa Peat has been killing for the Suns in Summer League

The proof is in the pudding, as the rookie is averaging 16.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.3 assists across his three games. The points per game are impressive, but it’s how he has been doing so.

He’s used his sheer physicality to get inside the paint. He also attacks angles and knows where to be on the floor. Whether in the dunker spot or off a cut, Peat can space the floor with his off-ball movement and open up advantages for his teammates.

Who”s recognized it the most? Summer league coach Chaisson Allen.

“His level of physicality,” Allen said when asked about Peat’s skill that sticks out. “It translates immediately. Guys feel him on the court, so that presence on the court for him is huge for us and himself. Just feeling this pace and pace of play. Just slowing it down for him and being able to use his size.”

The Suns have one more Summer League game on Wednesday. Considering Peat’s performance, the team could shut him down, but also give him an extended run for more reps.

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