Two weeks ago, one of the most impressive high school basketball careers in Arizona history entered its final stretch. Gilbert Perry’s five-star recruit, Koa Peat, had already made a name for himself with his dominant performances, but the biggest question surrounding him remains: Where will he play in college?
Koa Peat’s Rising Stardom On The Court
The Instagram page AZ Finest Mixtape posted a video featuring Peat’s high-flying slam, captioned: “Koa Peat WITH THE SLAM.”
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Peat showcased his incredible two-hand slam. Meanwhile, the 6’8″ senior has been a standout talent, and his performances have only fueled speculation about his college decision. Before the start of his final high school season, Peat had narrowed his list to five schools: Texas, Houston, Baylor, Arizona, and Arizona State.
Three weeks ago, Peat saved one of his best performances for the Hoophall Classic, but his efforts fell short as Perry (AZ) lost 75-65 to Christopher Columbus (FL) in Springfield, Mass. Peat finished with 18 points, with most of his scoring coming in the fourth quarter.
Duke commit Cameron Boozer stole the show, leading the Explorers with 31 points and securing the win. The matchup between Peat and Boozer was one of the most anticipated of the event, as both players are ranked among the top high school frontcourt prospects in the nation.
Boozer is the No. 2 overall recruit in the Class of 2025, while Peat sits at No. 6, according to 247 Sports. Boozer has already committed to Duke, while Peat remains uncommitted.
Koa Peat vs. Cameron Boozer Showdown
Peat’s night was affected by foul trouble, limiting his minutes in the first half. By the end of the second quarter, he had picked up four fouls, forcing him to the bench while Boozer took control of the game.
Boozer entered halftime with 20 points on 7-of-9 shooting, along with six rebounds, giving Christopher Columbus a commanding lead.
“I take a lot of ownership in that loss. If I stay out of foul trouble, I think we could have contained them more in the first half. Cam got going when I came out. We were just playing catch-up the rest of the game,” Peat admitted.
Despite the early struggles, Peat made an impact in the second half, scoring 10 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter as he tried to lead Perry back into the game. His efforts helped cut the deficit to single digits, but Boozer secured offensive rebounds and made difficult shots, keeping Perry from completing the comeback.
Even with the loss, Peat embraced the opportunity to compete against a top-tier opponent.
“That’s what the people want to see,” Peat said. “They want to see big-time players match up. I thought it was fun. I went out there and had fun. I don’t think I played my best game, but I’ll take ownership of that, go back home, and work.”
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Peat remains one of the top uncommitted prospects in the country. Out of the Top 10 recruits in the Class of 2025, four — including Peat — have yet to announce their college decisions.
In November, Peat told AZ Central that he had no specific timeline for making his commitment. During his Hoophall Classic game, Arizona State head coach Bobby Hurley was in attendance, showing his continued interest in securing Peat for the Sun Devils.
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