The Arizona Wildcats have landed a top-five player in the class of 2026 to rebuild their backcourt around next season.
Five-star 2026 guard Caleb Holt announced on ESPN that he will play for Arizona, choosing the Wildcats over Alabama, Kentucky, Houston and Providence.
Guard Caleb Holt led USA with 20 points and seven rebounds in its 120-64 win over New Zealand in a FIBA U19 World Cup semifinal game on Saturday, July 5, 2025.
Holt played for UA coach Tommy Lloyd and was a teammate of UA forward Koa Peat on the USA Basketball team that won the FIBA U19 World Cup last summer in Switzerland. Holt was one of only four high school players who made the team
"I got to spend a month with (Lloyd, so) really got to know him," Holt told Rivals. "He talks to you about anything. But when it gets serious, he’s serious, and he instills a lot of confidence in me on the court. I like that. I love that he has confidence in me, and can see what I can do.â€
Ranked No. 4 in , Holt averaged 10.0 points and 4.3 rebounds while shooting 63.6% (52.0% from 3-point range) over USA’s seven-game romp to the gold medal in Switzerland. Holt played with Peat both on the U19 team and in the U17 World Cup last summer, winning gold both times.
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UA freshman Koa Peat (left) and UA commit Caleb Holt (6) celebrate their gold medals from the FIBA U19 World Cup in Switzerland last July.
From Loganville, Ga., and now playing for Prolific Prep in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Holt visited Alabama, Kentucky, Auburn and Providence. Adam Finkelstein, an analyst for 247 Sports, as a physically imposing downhill attacker who has a 6-foot-9 wingspan and high-level defensive potential.
"Holt is one of the most consistently impactful players in high school basketball and has the mentality and physical tools to have a high long-term floor," Finkelstein wrote. "His ceiling will be dictated by the continued progression of his guard skills, along with his ability to maintain his efficiency while stretching his game."
Holt, who also visited Arizona for its Red Blue Showcase in October, joins Goodyear Millennium forward Cameron Holmes in UA's 2026 recruiting class.
The Wildcats are expected to lose most of their roster from this season, including possibly both of their starting guards, since Jaden Bradley will be out of eligibility and Brayden Burries has played himself into solid first-round pick territory.
Lloyd has said he intends to bring in a mix of American freshmen, international players and transfers.
Holt revealed his decision on ESPN’s “First Take†Tuesday morning. After thanking his family, God and his coaches, Holt unzipped a black leather jacket to reveal a white T-shirt with “Arizona†emblazoned across the chest in red letters. Some of Holt’s family members were in the studio, also sporting UA gear.
“I want to win a national championship,†Holt told ESPN. “That’s my biggest goal. So I’m gonna go to Arizona every day doing whatever it takes to win. Nothing is better than winning. You can score 30 and lose. I want to win.â€
