The latest projections I've read about this week's NBA draft have four of Tommy Lloyd's 2025-26 Final Four Wildcats likely draft picks: Brayden Burries, Koa Peat, Jaden Bradley and Tobe Awaka. The latter two are projected to be selected between picks 45-60. In addition, ex-Wildcat 3-point shooting ace Anthony Dell'Orso has worked out for three NBA teams and is apt to sign a two-way, G-League contract.
Only in 2001, another Final Four season, did Arizona have four picks in the NBA draft: Richard Jefferson (13), Gilbert Arenas (31), Michael Wright (39) and Loren Woods (46). There was actually a fifth Wildcat drafted in 2001: Robertas Javtokas, who had played for Arizona in 1999-2000 (eight games) and then turned pro in his home country of Lithuania, was selected 56th in the NBA draft.
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Arizona forward Tobe Awaka manages to force Texas Tech guard Christian Anderson into a miss on his last-second shot at the buzzer on regulation, helping force overtime in their Big 12 game, Feb. 14, in Tucson.
My only advice to NBA draft personnel is to use a second-round pick on Awaka. You can thank me later. He's a defense-first, team-first, battle-tested hustler who reminds me of Jud Buechler, selected with the 38th pick in the 1990 draft, the consummate winning teammate who was part of three Chicago Bulls world championships in 12 NBA seasons. No matter what Awaka's shooting percentage and rebound averages are, he'll help your team win even if he sits on the bench most nights.
The Mount Rushmore of Arizona Wildcats men's basketball players
