Arizona rebuilt with 10 newcomers – here’s who could make the biggest impact

Tommy Lloyd and the Arizona Wildcats may have two of the best returning players in all of college basketball on the roster, but for the most part, everyone else is a newcomer to Tucson.

Arizona rebuilt a roster that lost Koa Peat, Brayden Burries, and Jaden Bradley to the NBA by surrounding center Mo Krivas and forward Ivan Kharchenkov with an elite combination of young superstar talent, potential breakout transfers, steady veterans, and of course a hefty dose of international bigs.

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The final product is a roster most believe is top five in the entire country, and while Krivas and Kharchenkov will both challenge for a spot on the Big 12 First Team, it’ll be the ten newcomers who make or break this Wildcats squad in 2026-27.

Here is a look at all ten new players for coach Lloyd, ranked by projected impact:

1. Guard Caleb Holt (freshman)

Mar 31, 2026; Glendale, AZ, USA; Caleb Holt (3) during the McDonalds All American Boys Game at Desert Diamond Arena. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Remember the concern when Tommy Lloyd was hired that he wouldn’t be able to recruit domestically? Although that concern has long been put to rest, Lloyd went ahead and reminded everyone anyway by securing two excellent incoming freshmen, headlined by McDonald’s All-American Caleb Holt.

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Holt is a 6’5 guard who ranks No. 2 in the 247Sports composite rankings and is a legitimate candidate to go No. 1 overall in the 2027 NBA draft.

A lengthy guard who is extremely adept at getting downhill, Holt could lead this Arizona team in scoring as a freshman, and his 6’9 wingspan and toughness should make him an impactful defender right away as well.

2. Power forward RJ Godfrey (Clemson transfer)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers forward RJ Godfrey (0) | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Currently, RJ Godfrey is ineligible to suit up for the Wildcats, after his lawsuit in Georgia was granted a stay request by the NCAA. This story is far from over, and Arizona will certainly hope the 6’7…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/arizona-rebuilt-10-newcomers-heres-020705766.html

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Publish date : 2026-09-22 02:07:00

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