These former Arizona Wildcats made 2026-27 NBA rosters

For aspiring professional basketball players, there’s few places better to play in college than the University of Arizona.

The Arizona Wildcats men’s basketball program has long cemented itself as a training ground for NBA players. That’s never been more true than now. Sixteen former Wildcats are on NBA active rosters as the league tips off the 2026-27 season on Tuesday.

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Arizona’s 16 active players is third-most among all college programs, trailing only Kentucky and Duke. The program also boasts one of the winningest active coaches in Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr.

Here is a look at the Wildcats in the NBA in alphabetical order.

Tobe Awaka, Chicago Bulls

Awaka enters his rookie season with the Bulls after going undrafted. Awaka signed with Chicago on a two-way contract. The fact he made the Bulls’ opening day roster bodes well for his chances of sticking in the league as a first-year player.

Deandre Ayton, Washington Wizards

Ayton was traded to the Wizards in early July after playing last season for the Los Angeles Lakers. Ayton is expected to come off the bench behind Anthony Davis for a Wizards team that also features top overall draft pick AJ Dybantsa. Ayton averaged career lows in points (12.5) and rebounds (8) last year.

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Jaden Bradley, Toronto Raptors

Bradley must have made a strong first impression with the Raptors in order to secure a four-year, $9.3 million contract this offseason. The former Big 12 Player of the Year will begin the year deep on the Raptors’ depth chart, but Toronto clearly has high expectations.

Carter Bryant, San Antonio Spurs

Bryant will be competing for a bigger role in his second season with the Spurs. As a rookie, he averaged 4.2 points and 2.5 rebounds in 11.5 minutes per game. Bryant has room to grow offensively, as he shot 40.8% from the field last year. By comparison, he shot 46% his one year at Arizona.

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Brayden Burries, Milwaukee Bucks

Burries arrives in Milwaukee with high expectations as the 10th overall pick of the NBA Draft. Burries likely won’t start to begin the season, but he should have an immediate impact on the new-look…

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Publish date : 2026-10-20 21:30:00

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