Garza wins Big Ten Player of the Week
Iowa’s Luka Garza earned some Big Ten recognition after an impressive week that saw him drop 44 points against Michigan.
Iowa center Luka Garza drives the ball during the men’s basketball game against Cal Poly at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Sunday, November 24, 2019.
December 9, 2019
After a stellar week that culminated with a 44-point game against Michigan, Iowa center Luka Garza has been named the Big Ten Player of the Week, the conference announced Monday.
Garza averaged 33.5 points and 8.5 rebounds in a victory over Syracuse and a loss to the Wolverines last week.
The 44 points Garza dropped against Michigan set a career-high and are the most points scored in a game by a Hawkeye big man. It’s also the most points scored by an Iowa player since guard John Johnson netted 49 against Northwestern in 1970. His 17 made field goals against the Wolverines are also tied for the third-most in Hawkeye history.
The performance helped Garza surpass the 1,000-point mark in his career.
In Iowa’s 68-54 victory over Syracuse in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge on Dec. 3, Garza recorded game-highs in points (23) and rebounds (nine).
Garza is not new to receiving Big Ten recognition.
The Washington D.C. native earned Big Ten Freshman of the Week twice during the 2017-18 season, but this marks his first Player of the Week honor. Garza is the first Hawkeye to win the award since Peter Jok did so on Dec. 12, 2016.
Garza will take the floor again on Monday when the Hawkeyes host Minnesota in their Big Ten home-opener at 7:10 p.m.
