Luka Garza: National Player of the Year
2021
• Naismith Trophy
• Big Ten Jesse Owens Male Athlete of the Year
• Associated Press College Basketball Player of the Year
• Oscar Robertson Trophy
• Lute Olson National Player of the Year Award
• NABC Division I Player of the Year
• Sporting News National Player of the Year
• Unanimous consensus first-team All-American
• NABC Pete Newell Big Man of the Year
• Senior CLASS Award
• Wooden Award Finalist & All-American
• USBWA District VI Player of the Year
• NABC & USBWA All-District Team
• Big Ten Men’s Basketball Player of the Year
• Big Ten Conference unanimous first-team honoree
• Associated Press Big Ten Player of the Year
• Iowa All-Time Leading Scorer
2020
• Naismith Player of the Year Trophy Finalist
• Sporting News, Stadium, Basketball Times, Bleacher Report, FOX, ESPN National Player of the Year
• Big Ten Men’s Basketball Player of the Year
• Unanimous Consensus First-Team All-American
• Naismith Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year Award
• NABC Pete Newell Big Man of the Year
• USBWA District VI Player of the Year
• AP National Player of the Year runner-up
• Finalist: Oscar Robertson Trophy; Wooden Award; Lute Olson Award
• Iowa Single-Season Scoring Record (740 points)
• One of three Big Ten players ever to amass 740+ points and 300+ rebounds in a season
• First player since Ohio State’s Dennis Hopson in 1987 to post 20+ points in 16 straight Big Ten games
Hawk Items — One of nine players in Iowa men’s basketball history to have his number retired (#55)… two-time National Player of the Year and Big Ten Player of the Year… two-time Pete Newell Big Man of the Year and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year… only player in Big Ten history with 2,250+ points and 900+ rebounds… became Iowa’s all-time scoring leader (2,306) on Feb. 21, 2021, surpassing Roy Marble’s previous benchmark 15 games faster… ranks first in Iowa career field goals made (870) and attempted (1,594), conference scoring (1,399) and tied for first in 30-point games (13) and 40-point games (2)… ranks second in Iowa history in rebounds (931), fourth in double-doubles (34), fifth in blocked shots (154), sixth in free throw makes (446) and attempted (636), and 16th in 3-pointers made (12)… reached 2,000 points in 113 games, faster than any other Big Ten player over the last 25 years… ranks seventh in Big Ten history in career scoring (2,306)… third player to lead the Big Ten in scoring in consecutive seasons since 1990 (MSU’s Steve Smith; OSU’s Evan Turner)… third player to be named Big Ten Player of the Year in consecutive years, dating back to the award’s inception in 1985 (Michigan State’ Mateen Cleaves; Ohio State’s Jim Jackson)… only player in school history with four 400-point seasons and two 700-point seasons… six 30-point games versus an AP Top 25 opponents in his career; over the last 25 seasons, the only player to have more 30-point games against ranked opponents is Duke’s Jay Williams (7)… averaged 24.1 points & 8.7 rebounds per game in 2021 after averaging 23.9 points & 9.8 rebounds in 2020; third Big Ten player in the last 50 years to average 23 points & eight rebounds in consecutive seasons, joining Purdue’s Glenn Robinson (1992-93 & 1993-94) and Michigan’s Henry Wilmore (1970-71 & 1971-72)… scored 613 points against AP Top 25 teams, the most of any player during the 2020 and 2021 seasons combined… topped 20 points 19 times in 24 games against AP Top 25 opponents (2020-21)… accounts for nine of the 12 27-point/10-rebound games in the Fran McCaffery era (2010-present)… recorded 18 straight Big Ten games with 20+ points — the longest streak in the league in over three decades… recorded 19 straight games of 20+ points to tie T.J Warren (N.C. State, 2013-14) for the longest streak by a major conference player over the last 20 seasons… netted 20 points or more in 10 consecutive road contests, the longest streak in the Big Ten in the last 25 years… third player in program history, and first since 1952, to earn consensus All-America first team distinction… fourth player in program history, and first since 1968, to be named Player of the Year in the Big Ten… one of four Hawkeyes to earn the prestigious Chris Street Award multiple times… only Hawkeye with 1,550+ points and 650+ rebounds through his junior season… scored in double figures 100 times, including 20 points or more 59 times, and registering 34 double-doubles… one of three Hawkeyes to amass more than 800 points and 350 rebounds through their sophomore season (Aaron White, Jess Settles)… one of two Hawkeyes to total 400 points and 200 rebounds as a freshman (Jess Settles)… scored 400 points as a freshman, which ranks fourth best as an Iowa rookie… shot the basketball at a 55.7 percent clip, which ranks fifth best at Iowa for a freshman… his 211 rebounds are most by an Iowa rookie, while his 32 blocked shots rank sixth… led team averaging a double-double (22.5 points and 10.3 rebounds), shooting 70 percent from the field (34-of-48) and 80 percent (21-of-26) from the free throw line, on Iowa’s four-game tour in Europe in August, 2018.
2020-21 Honors — Consensus National Player of the Year, winning all major awards: Naismith Trophy, John R. Wooden Award, Oscar Robertson Trophy, Associated Press, NABC, Lute Olson Award, Sporting News, Basketball Times, and Sports Illustrated National Player of the Year… Big Ten Jesse Owens Male Athlete of the Year honoree… Senior CLASS Award recipient… Big Ten All-Tournament Team honoree… first-team All-America by every major organization, including AP, Sporting News, USBWA, NABC to qualify for unanimous consensus All-America distinction for a second straight year… NABC Pete Newell Big Man of the Year recipient… Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award Center of the Year honoree… Player of the Year in the Big Ten by the media and head coaches… USBWA District VI Player of the Year and voted to all-district team… co-winner of the prestigious Chris Street Award… three-time Big Ten Player of the Week (Nov. 30; Dec. 14; Feb. 22). 2020-21 — Started all 31 games at center… averaged team bests in scoring (747), rebounding (271), blocks (50), and free throws made (141) and attempted (199)… his 747 points extended the single-season school record he set last season (740)… led the NCAA in Player Efficiency Rating (35.84), total points (747), 30-point games (8), 20-point games (22), and field goals made (281); ranked second in the country in points per game (24.1)… ranked fifth in the conference in overall rebounding (8.7) and offensive rebounding (3.0)… ranked third in the conference in blocks per game (1.6), and second in double-doubles (13) and tied for 11th nationally… was 10th in the NCAA in free throws made (141) and fifth in attempts (199)… one of four Division I players since the 1993 season with 740+ points, 250+ rebounds, 40+ 3-pointers, and 50+ blocks; the other three players are Kevin Durant (2007), Shane Battier (2001), and Donyell Marshall (1994)… shot a career-best 44 percent (44-of-100) from behind the 3-point arc… one of only three players in the country to shoot at least 55 percent on FGAs and 44 percent on 3FGAs, with at least 40 made 3-pointers; Garza has more than 100 field goal attempts than the other two players… one of three major conference players in the last 25 years to have two games with 30+ points on 90 percent shooting (Southern & Iowa State)… his 34 points in 17 minutes against Iowa State were the most scored by a Division I player who has played less than 20 minutes over the last 25 seasons… one of only two players (Doug McDermott, 2011-12) to shoot 60 percent from the field and 60 percent from 3 in his team’s first five games of the season… only Division I player in the last 25 years to score 100+ points on 75 percent shooting over a three-game span (the last NBA player to put up equivalent numbers was Shaquille O’Neal in January, 1996)… his 102 points in his first three games are the most by any Division I player over his first three games of a season since Davidson’s Stephen Curry had 106 in 2008-09… posted game bests in scoring (24), steals (2), and 3-pointers made (4) in win over Grand Canyon in the NCAA Tournament First Round… recorded 13th double-double (21 points, 12 rebounds) and tied a season high with three steals versus #3 Illinois at Big Ten Tournament… 12th double-double of the season with 21 points and 16 rebounds (and three blocks) in home win over #25 Wisconsin… tied a season high with four blocked shots in win over Nebraska… 30-point performance at #21 Wisconsin was his seventh of the season… 11th double-double, totaling game bests in scoring (24) and rebounding (11) at #4 Ohio State… tallied 10th double-double in win over Penn State (23 points, 11 rebounds)… posted ninth double-double in victory over #25 Rutgers (22 points, 10 rebounds)… totaled 27 points and 12 rebounds in home win over Michigan State becoming the first Hawkeye to amass at least 27/10 in a win over the Spartans since Acie Earl had 27/16 in a 96-90 (OT) victory on Jan. 28, 1993… recorded sixth 30-point game of season in win over #16 Minnesota… registered a double-double versus Indiana (28 points, 12 rebounds)… posted a double-double (17 points & 10 rebounds) in convincing win over Northwestern; scored all 17 points in the first half, playing only 24 total minutes in the rout of the Wildcats… scored 24 points (9-14 FG, 2-4 3FG, 4-4 FT), including eight straight in the first half, along with seven boards and four assists in double-digit win at Maryland… scored game-high 25 points against #14 Rutgers; scored 15 points in the second half without missing a shot (5-5 FG, 5-5 FT)… recorded 32 points and season-high 17 rebounds against Minnesota… sank four triples and scored a game-high 22 points vs. Purdue… posted fourth 30-point game of the season against #1 Gonzaga, recording 30 points on 13-of-18 shooting… his 34 points against Iowa State are the most points scored by a Hawkeye in the Cy-Hawk Series… scored 21 straight points, spanning 5:15 in the second half of the Iowa State game, including four consecutive 3-pointers on four straight possessions… netted 30 or more points in the first half in back-to-back games (Southern, Western Illinois)… 41 points against Southern are the most points scored by a Hawkeye in a single-game in Carver-Hawkeye Arena and his 36 first-half points (12-12 FG, 10-12 FT) are believed to be the most ever scored by a Hawkeye in a half… his performance (14-15 FG; .933) versus Southern was the best single-game field goal percentage by a B1G player since 1984 and is the only player in the last decade to score 40 points and shoot 90% with 41-point effort… letterwinner.
2019-20 Honors — Sporting News, Basketball Times, ESPN, Stadium, Bleacher Report National Player of the Year… first-team All-America by every major organization, including AP, Sporting News, USBWA, NABC to qualify for unanimous consensus All-America distinction… NABC Pete Newell Big Man of the Year recipient… Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award Center of the Year honoree… Player of the Year in the Big Ten by the media and head coaches… Associated Press National Player of the Year runner-up… USBWA District VI Player of the Year and voted to all-district team… Wooden Award National Ballot; Naismith Trophy Finalist; Oscar Robertson Trophy Semifinalist; Lute Olson Award Finalist… Iowa Male Athlete of the Year… co-winner of the prestigious Chris Street Award… two-time Jay Bilas National Player of the Week (Dec. 9 and Jan. 21)… first ever Hawkeye to earn Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week (Dec. 10)… two-time Big Ten Player of the Week (Dec. 9; Jan. 20)… Andy Katz/March Madness Player of the Week (Dec. 16)… Las Vegas Invitational All-Tournament Team. 2019-20 — Started all 31 games at center… became Iowa’s single-season scoring record holder on March 3, surpassing John Johnson’s previous benchmark of 699 set in 1970… only player in the country to amass 700+ points, 300+ rebounds, 50+ blocks and 35+ 3-pointers; the last three players to accomplish the feat: Frank Kaminsky (2014-15); Michael Beasley (2007-08); Kevin Durant (2006-07)… 740 points are the most points by a junior in Iowa single-season history, shattering B.J. Armstrong’s previous benchmark of 592 points scored in 34 games during the 1988 season… 15 double-doubles are the most by a Hawkeye in a single season since Reggie Evans’ 18 (2001-02 season)… became the 49th Hawkeye to score 1,000 points with his career-high 44-point output at #4 Michigan… his 44 points were the most in a single-game by an Iowa big man, third most in a single-game in program history, most scored by a Hawkeye in a single-game since guard John Johnson (49) in 1970, and most scored by a visiting player in Crisler Center history… his 44-point effort at Michigan tied for the fifth highest point total in a single-game in the NCAA in 2019-20… his 38-point performance at Indiana was two points from tying an Assembly Hall record for an opposing player and is the third highest point total by a Hawkeye over the last 44 years… averaged 26.7 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks in 12 games against AP Top-25 teams… only two other players over the last 15 seasons averaged 25+ points and 10+ rebounds against ranked opponents — Kevin Durant (Texas, ‘06-’07) and Michael Beasley (Kansas State, ‘07-’08)…recorded 11 straight 20-point games against AP Top-25 teams — the longest streak by any player in the country over the last 15 seasons… became fourth Big Ten player since 1993 to average 23 points or better in all games (Shawn Respert, Carson Edwards, Glenn Robinson)… averaged 26.2 points and 9.7 rebounds in Big Ten play, becoming the first player to average at least 26 points in Big Ten play since Purdue’s Glenn Robinson in 1994 (31.1 ppg) and highest by a true center since Minnesota’s Tom Kondla (28.3 ppg) in 1967… seven games with 25+ points & 10+ rebounds are the most in the Big Ten over the last 17 seasons… one of five Big Ten player since 2010-11 with multiple 30-point/10-rebound games in the same season… only player with multiple 30-point games against a single opponent this season… his 77 points against Michigan are the most by any Big Ten player versus a single opponent in regular season conference play over the last 20 seasons… first player since Ohio State’s Dennis Hopson in 1987 to score 20+ points in 16 straight Big Ten games… one of two players in program history to total 35+ 3-pointers and 50+ blocks (Jarrod Uthoff, 2015 & 2016)… only player Division I player with 50+ blocks, 35+ 3-pointers, 35% 3-point shooting and 55% 2-point shooting… only Power 5 conference player — and one of two players nationally – to average 23+ points and 9+ rebounds… broke Iowa’s 49-year old record of scoring 20 or more points in 16 straight Big Ten games and overall record of 25 games in a single-season of netting 20+ points… one of two centers in the nation to shoot 35 percent or better from 3-point range (min. 100 attempts)… posted two highest single-game scoring efforts in the Big Ten this season (44 at Michigan; 38 at Indiana)… scored 20+ points in 19-of-20 Big Ten games (at Nebraska, 16)… recorded 15 double-doubles, third most in the Big Ten and tied for the 19th most in the nation… recorded career-high 18 rebounds twice (Nebraska, Wisconsin)… grabbed 12 boards or more in 10 contests… sank a career-high 11 free throws in home win over #19 Michigan… increased his scoring average by 10.8 points and rebounding average by 5.3 boards from previous year… finished second in the NCAA with 12 games of 20+ points & 10+ rebounds; seven games of 25+ points & 10+ rebounds are the most of any player in a major conference and only Big Ten player to accomplish the feat over the last 17 seasons… ranked third nationally in points per 40 minutes (29.9)… led Big Ten in scoring and was fifth in the country (23.9); his 25 games of 20+ points tied for the second most in the nation and most in Iowa single-season history; his five 30-point games tied for 10th most… ranked sixth in the Big Ten in field goal accuracy (.542) and 50th in the NCAA… led the Big Ten in FGM (287) and FGA (530); ranked second in the nation in FGM and 11th in FGA… ranked fourth in the Big Ten and 34th in the nation in overall rebounding (9.8); ranked second in the Big Ten in offensive rebounding (3.6) and 19th nationally; recorded 15 games of 10+ rebounds… led Iowa in blocks (1.8), which ranked seventh best in the Big Ten… season canceled by Big Ten Conference and NCAA on March 12 due to concerns of coronavirus (COVID-19)… letterwinner.
2018-19 Honors – Honorable Mention All-Big Ten by the media… voted the 2K Empire Classic MVP…recipient of the Kenny Arnold Hawkeye Spirit Award. 2018-19 – Competed in 32 games, starting 30… missed three games after suffering a sprained ankle in late-December… ranked second on the team in scoring (13.1) and fourth in rebounding (4.5)… ranked eighth in the Big Ten in free throw percentage (.804, 86-of-107)… reached 20 or more points a team-best eight times, including four straight games (at Penn State, Illinois, #6 Michigan State, at Minnesota), becoming the first Hawkeye to do so since Aaron White in 2015… reached double figures 20 times… led team in scoring nine times and blocks eight times… led Iowa in field goal percentage (.531, 156-of-294), ranking 10th in the conference… averaged 17 points and 6.5 rebounds in two wins at Madison Square Garden against #13 Oregon and Connecticut… posted only double-double of the season (22 points, 12 rebounds) in win at Penn State… netted a game-high 19 points in home win over #5 Michigan… reached double-digits in both NCAA Tournament games, including a game-high 20 points in Iowa’s first round win over Cincinnati… became the sixth Hawkeye in history to have 20 points and seven rebounds in their NCAA Tournament debut… letterwinner.
2017-18 Honors — Two-timeBig Ten Freshman of the Week (Nov. 13 and Jan. 2)… earned the team’s Newcomer of the Year Award. 2017-18 – Competed in all 33 games, starting 26… ranked first on the team in blocked shots (32), second in rebounding (6.4), free throws made (92) and free throws attempted (135), and third in scoring (12.1)… first Hawkeye since Aaron White in 2012 to register at least four double-doubles as a freshman… posted double figures in scoring 20 times, including netting 15 points or more 13 times… led team in blocked shots and rebounding in 12 games… ranked second among Big Ten freshmen in rebounding (5.7), third in scoring (12.4), and fourth in field goal percentage (.539) in conference games only… was 16-of-39 (.410) from the foul line the first 10 games; made 76 of last 96 (.792) the last 23 games combined… led all scorers at #22/21 Michigan on Feb. 14, netting 22 points (10-16 FG, 2-2 FT)… netted a team-best 19 points, bolstered by 8-of-10 shooting from the field, against #3 Purdue… posted fourth double-double in win over Wisconsin (17 points, 16 rebounds); the 16 rebounds are the most by a Hawkeye in a single game since Adam Woodbury snagged 18 versus Wisconsin on Feb. 24, 2016… scored 17 of his 19 points in the second half and overtime, while also snagging 11 rebounds for his team-best third double-double in a come-from-behind overtime victory at Illinois… recorded personal bests in scoring (25), blocked shots (5), and 3-pointers (3) in win over Northern Illinois… letterwinner.
High School — Honored as the 2017 Gatorade D.C. Boys Basketball player of the Year… averaged 24.6 points, 11.7 rebounds, 2.5 blocks, and 1.1 assists as a senior to lead No. 17 Maret (26-5) to the championship game of the Mid-Atlantic Athletic Conference and the D.C. State Athletic Association playoffs… ranked No. 98 by ESPN.com and No. 93 by 247Sports.com… first team All-Met honoree as a senior… shot 69 percent from the field, including 48 percent from 3-point range as a senior… in his final game for the Frogs, Garza posted 37 points and 17 rebounds in a 77-66 loss to Gonzaga in the DCSAA final… named MVP of three All-Star games: Crab Ball Classic (27 points, 13 rebounds), Triple Threat Classic (22 points, 12 rebounds), and The Capital Classic (18 points, 14 rebounds)… leaves as the school’s all-time leading scorer with 1,993 points… averaged 24.5 points, 12.6 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks as a junior… averaged 19.8 points and 9.8 rebounds his sophomore campaign… helped Maret earn back-to-back conference championships (22-8 in 2014 and 22-5 in 2015)… recognized as the 2014-15 Washington Post All-Met Most Improved Player… averaged 11.3 points and 6.5 rebounds in the 2016 EYBL.
Personal — Born 12/27/98… pre-business major… parents are Frank and Sejla Garza… has one sister, Tesa… his father played basketball at the University of Idaho… grandpa, James Halm, played basketball at the University of Hawai’i… uncle Teoman Alibegovic played basketball at Oregon State and is the Slovenian national team’s all-time leading scorer… cousin Amar Alibegovic is a senior at St. John’s… family is from Bosnia and Herzegovina… high school coach was Chuck Driesell… AAU coach was Keith Stevens.
Career Bests
Points: 44 at Michigan, 12/6/19
Rebounds: 18, 2x, last vs. Wisconsin, 1/27/20
FGM: 17 at Michigan, 12/6/19
FGA: 32 at Michigan, 12/6/19
3-pt FG: 6 vs. Iowa State, 12/11/20
3-pt FGA: 9 vs. Illinois, 2/2/20
FTM: 11 vs. Michigan, 1/17/20
FTA: 14 vs. Penn State, 1/4/20
Assists: 5 vs. Ohio State, 2/4/21
Steals: 4 vs. Purdue, 3/3/20
Blocks: 5, 2x, last vs. Cincinnati, 12/21/19
Minutes: 40 at Illinois, 3/8/20