TEMPE – Arizona State basketball is flatlining. The program is coming off a 13-19 regular season, completing a stretch of four losing seasons in the past five years. Head coach Bobby Hurley’s seat was burning with the torches of Sun Devils fans who wanted him out of the Valley. However, ASU athletic director Graham Rossini elected not to, with the reason clear. While Hurley receives a lot of flack for his coaching, as a recruiter, he excels. The program needs a defibrillator to help jump it back to life, which Hurley could do if he lands Gilbert native and five-star recruit Koa Peat.
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March 8, 2025; Phoenix, Ariz.; USA; Perry forward Koa Peat holds up the trophy as he celebrates with his teammates after winning the Boys Open State Championship game over Sunnyslope at Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Syndication: Arizona Republic
Peat is a senior at Perry and, even with a broken hand, led the Pumas to their fourth-straight state championship against Sunnyslope. The 2023-2024 AZ Gatorade player of the year is rated 99/100 by 247 sports, and unanimously the number one ranked prospect in Arizona and eighth in the country.
Perry forward Koa Peat (10) makes a layup and draws a blocking foul on Sunnyslope forward Owen Hills (25) during the Boys Open State Championship at Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum on March 8, 2025. Syndication: Arizona Republic
The 18-year-old is a winner. Peat has a great frame at 6’8, 235 pounds and is productive in every aspect of the game. His athleticism is world-class, which led him to be a part of the USA basketball U17 team in 2022. He is the highest-rated Arizona recruit ever, and Peta staying home could save Arizona State and Hurley.
How Arizona State can secure Peat:
Arizona State head coach Bobby Hurley calls a play during the first half against Oregon State at Desert Financial Arena in Tempe on Feb. 14, 2024. Syndication: Arizona Republic
The Sun Devils are one of five favorites to land the highly coveted recruit, the other four being Arizona, Baylor, Houston, and Texas. Of those five teams, Arizona was the program Peat visited last and is arguably ASU’s biggest competition for the Gilbert native.
Hurley is a stellar recruiter and can offer Peat a list of attractive opportunities for the high schooler. The keys to the offense and a full commitment for him to shine in Tempe, while playing with talented players like Jayden Quaitance and Joson Sanon. ASU alumni James Harden announced a high-six-figure donation to the program months ago and could use that fund for Peat’s NIL deal.
ASU is the underdog. The program has the worst record of all the five top teams but gives the 5-star recruit to stay home and continue his championship-winning wearing the maroon and gold as a Sun Devil. This will define Hurley’s tenure in Tempe and could have lasting effects for years.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
