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Critical week ahead for Arizona menās basketball as NBA Draft, NCAA transfer deadlines loom
TL;DR
Arizona men's basketball faces crucial decisions this week as the NCAA transfer portal closes and the NBA Draft declaration deadline approaches. Key players Brayden Burries and Koa Peat are likely to declare for the draft, impacting the roster for the 2026-27 season.
Key points
- NCAA transfer portal closes on Tuesday night
- NBA Draft declaration deadline is midnight Friday
- Brayden Burries and Koa Peat likely to declare for the draft
- Two players have entered the transfer portal
- Arizona Wildcats roster may change significantly
Arizona WildcatsDwayne AristodeSidi GueyeBrayden Burries
Dec 20, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; San Diego State Aztecs guard BJ Davis (10) moves the ball against the Arizona Wildcats center Motiejus Krivas (13) and forward Ivan Kharchenkov (8) in the second half during the Hall of Fame Series at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
By the end of this week Arizona will have a lot more clarity when it comes to how its 2026-27 roster will look, or at least how much work has to be done to complete it.
The NCAA transfer portal closes on Tuesday night, while the deadline to declare for the 2026 NBA Draft is midnight Friday.
To this point the UA has seen two players enter the portal: wing Dwayne Aristode and forward Sidi Gueye, leaving the Wildcats with nine members of the 2025-26 team (including walk-ons) still on the roster. But that number is likely to go down by at least a couple, as projected 1st round picks Brayden Burries and Koa Peat are both expected to declare for the draft.
Those are just a matter of when, not if. The real uncertainty lies with two other Wildcats who could get drafted but also could benefit from another year in college.
Center Motiejus Krivas and wing Ivan Kharchenkov are both on draft boards, with Sporting News slotting Krivas as the No. 22 pick in its latest mock draft and Kharchenkov someone whose stock could rise with a strong showing at the NBA Draft combine if he were to get an invite. If either declared they would probably do so while maintaining their eligibility, giving them until May 27 to return to school or stay in the draft.
UA players like Jaden Bradley, Pelle Larsson and Caleb Love have gone this route in the past, testing the wasters before ultimately coming back to Tucson.
Once Arizona knows how many spots it has to fill it can focus fully on finding those replacements. So far the Wildcats have signed a pair of guards, from North Carolina and from Washington, to address its most major need, but more transfers are likely to be added.
Q&A
What are the deadlines for the NCAA transfer portal and NBA Draft declarations for Arizona basketball?
The NCAA transfer portal closes on Tuesday night, and the deadline to declare for the NBA Draft is midnight Friday.
Which Arizona players are expected to declare for the NBA Draft?
Projected first-round picks Brayden Burries and Koa Peat are both expected to declare for the NBA Draft.
How many players are currently on the Arizona Wildcats roster?
As of now, the Arizona Wildcats have nine members from the 2025-26 team still on the roster, but this number may decrease.