IOWA CITY, Iowa – Four University of Iowa student-athletes – Luka Garza (men’s basketball), Spencer Lee (wrestling), Caitlin Clark (women’s basketball), and Laruen Guerin (women’s gymnastics) – were named March’s Student Athletes of the Month. The University of Iowa Student-Athletes Academic Services (SAAS) made the announcement Friday.
Garza, a Washington, D.C. native, became the consensus 2021 National Player of the Year, sweeping all the major postseason awards (Wooden, Naismith, Associated Press, Oscar Robertson, NABC, Lute Olson, Sporting News). The two-time Big Ten Player of the Year led Iowa to the Big Ten Tournament semifinals for the first time since 2006 and to an NCAA Tournament victory.
He finished the season ranked first nationally in total points (747), player efficiency rating (35.84), 30-point games (8), field goals made (281), and 20-point games (22). Garza ranked second nationally in points per game (24.1), fifth in free throw attempts (199), 10th in free throw makes (141), and 11th in double-doubles (13).
Garza was a recent recipient of the 2021 Senior CLASS Award, which is given annually to the most outstanding senior student-athlete in men’s basketball.