In a stunning twist at the 2025 NBA Draft, Koby Brea, the sharpshooting sensation from Kentucky, found himself at the center of a whirlwind. Selected by the Golden State Warriors as the No. 41 overall pick in the second round, Brea’s moment of glory was short-lived. In a blockbuster trade deal, the Warriors promptly shipped him to the Phoenix Suns, leaving fans and analysts buzzing with excitement and intrigue.
Brea’s selection marked a historic milestone for Kentucky basketball, extending the Wildcats’ streak of having at least one player drafted to an impressive 18 consecutive years. The last time a draft passed without a Kentucky player was back in 2007, and Brea ensured that legacy lived on. As a key piece of the Mark Pope era’s inaugural squad, Brea brought his elite shooting prowess to Lexington, cementing his place in Wildcats lore before taking his talents to the pros.
A Sniper’s Journey to the NBA
Koby Brea arrived at Kentucky with a reputation that preceded him: a deadeye shooter who led all of Division I in 3-point shooting percentage (49.8%) during the 2023-24 season at Dayton. In his lone season with the Wildcats, he didn’t disappoint, torching nets with a 43.5% clip from beyond the arc (93 of 214). His 93 made triples tied for seventh-most in a single season in Kentucky history, matching the legendary Tony Delk’s 1995-96 campaign.
Averaging 11.6 points per game, Brea was the third-leading scorer on a stacked Kentucky roster, trailing only guards Otega Oweh (16.2 PPG) and Jaxson Robinson (13 PPG). His ability to stretch defenses and deliver in clutch moments made him a fan favorite and a prime target for NBA scouts.
From Unheralded to Unstoppable
Brea’s path to the NBA was anything but conventional. Coming out of Monsignor Scanlan High School in the Bronx, New York, he flew under the radar, lacking a star rating from major recruiting services. But after four standout seasons at Dayton, Brea entered the 2024 transfer portal as a hot commodity. Both 247Sports and On3 recognized his growth, labeling him a four-star prospect as he made the leap to Kentucky.
At the NBA Draft Combine, Brea measured just under 6-foot-6 (without shoes) and weighed in at 201.8 pounds, slightly leaner than his listed 6-7, 215-pound frame on Kentucky’s 2023-24 roster. His size, combined with his shooting touch, drew comparisons to NBA marksmen Jason Kapono and Bryn Forbes. Kapono, a two-time league leader in 3-point percentage (2006-07, 2007-08), and Forbes, a career 41% shooter from deep, represent the kind of floor-spacing threat Brea could become in the pros.
The Warriors’ Sleight of Hand
When the Warriors called Brea’s name at No. 41, it seemed like a perfect fit—a sharpshooter joining a franchise built on splashing threes. But in a plot twist worthy of a Hollywood thriller, Golden State flipped Brea to the Phoenix Suns as part of a trade deal. The move stunned onlookers, as Brea’s skill set seemed tailor-made for the Warriors’ system. Now, he heads to Phoenix, where he’ll join a Suns squad hungry for perimeter shooting to complement their star-studded core.
What’s Next for Brea?
As Brea prepares to take his talents to the desert, the Suns gain a player with the potential to carve out a significant role. His elite shooting, polished footwork, and basketball IQ make him a ready-made contributor for a team chasing a championship. Whether he’s raining threes alongside Kevin Durant or spacing the floor for Devin Booker, Brea’s journey from an unranked high schooler to an NBA prospect is a testament to his relentless work ethic.
For Kentucky fans, Brea’s draft selection is a point of pride, continuing the program’s storied tradition of producing NBA talent. As he embarks on his professional career, one thing is certain: Koby Brea’s long-range bombs will light up the NBA, just as they did in Lexington.