Perry basketball star Koa Peat inspired by putting on Team USA jersey
Koa Peat loves to represent America.
For the third summer in a row, the Gilbert Perry High basketball phenom will go through minicamp with the goal of putting on the Team USA jersey in quest of a gold medal.
He not only made the past two Team USA age-group teams the last two summers, but played a major role in dominating, as the teams easily won gold.
This time, the 6-foot-8 Peat, one of the top five 2025 recruits in the nation, who could go down as the greatest Arizona high school basketball player in history before he's done, will try to get to Istanbul, Turkey in June to be part of Team USA U17 team.
He's not getting ahead of himself, although it would be a shock if he didn't make the team. He's got to try out first.
"It means a lot," Peat said about representing his country in basketball. "Being able to go into minicamp and compete against the best players in the country is really cool and to learn from some of the best coaches in the country is also a plus."
Last year, Peat won a gold medal as a big part of the Team USA U16 national team that won the FIBA Americas championship in Mexico.
That qualified that team for the FIBA U17 Men's World Cup in Turkey next month.
In the summer of 2022, he averaged 10 points, as Team USA U17 national team won the gold medal in Spain.
"There is nothing that compares to being able to play for your country and win a gold medal," Peat said. "So being able to go and try out for the team and being able to go out to Turkey this summer is a huge blessing on me and my family and I’m super excited for it."
Perry coach Sam Duane Jr. isn't sure how much or if any Peat will play for his team in June with his USA obligations. He encouraged him to go after gold medals each summer. Peat will be among four of Perry's top six returning players next season when the Pumas try to capture their fourth straight state championship with Peat leading the way.
"I think playing with the USA U17 team will be a great experience for Koa," Duane said. "It is a tremendous opportunity for him to represent our country, compete against and play with some of the best players in the world and be with the USA coaching staff.
"He has a great love for representing Team USA and we are happy for him to support him 100%."
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Perry basketball star Koa Peat loves putting on Team USA jersey
