USA Today via Reuters
Jan 10, 2021; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes center Luka Garza (55) reacts with guard Jordan Bohannon (3) against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the first half at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Jan 10, 2021; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes center Luka Garza (55) reacts with guard Jordan Bohannon (3) against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the first half at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
The Iowa Hawkeyes have been one of the top teams in the country. One of the main reasons for that is the brilliance of senior forward Luka Garza, who is the favorite for the National Player of the Year. Recently, coach Fran McCaffery spoke about how Garza is a workaholic and about his dedication to the team.
McCaffery was asked if he ever had to make Garza do extra sprints or kick him out of practice. “Never had to,” McCaffery replied. “If anything, I would have to tell him to get out of the gym and take his girlfriend to lunch… He got COVID in the summer, so he went home. I thought he’d take a week on the beach, but he was in the gym, anyway. He’s in the gym with his dad, working out, training, lifting, running… He worked out three times a day. I told him, ‘you need a vacation from your vacation.'”
Hear from @IowaHoops HC Fran McCaffery who joined our guys @GoodmanHoops & @RobDauster to talk about the team and more. pic.twitter.com/82tcINBB9h
— Stadium (@Stadium) January 21, 2021
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Garza made a commitment to the Iowa Hawkeyes and is keeping it
Coach McCaffery also mentioned that Garza, along with the other players, made a commitment to the team when they decided to return. So now they are embarking on a journey to bring home their first-ever NCAA title.
But Garza also mentioned that he came back because of the bond he had developed with the team. He said, “I’m just really lucky to be with such a great group of guys and that’s the reason I came back, to be a part of this team. When you look at our team, we have the most unselfish group I have ever been a part of.”
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"We have the most unselfish group I've ever been a part of."
Luka Garza shares why he came back for his senior season. pic.twitter.com/xqbItHmoHT
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) January 16, 2021
So far, Garza has been excellent for the Hawkeyes, averaging 26.9 points, 8.7 rebounds, while shooting 62% from the field, and a ridiculous 47% from three. He is not only a complete package on offense, but on defense too, averaging 1.8 blocks per game. He has been their most consistent player so far and will need to continue his form during the NCAA tournament.
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Despite being a senior, Garza is also primed to be one of the top prospects in the 2021 NBA Draft. There are many exciting freshmen like Cade Cunningham and Jalen Suggs, but Garza will be a huge asset to any team that drafts him.
