Charlie Neibergall/Connected Press
Iowa star Luka Garza has capped his storied college occupation by incomes the 2021 Naismith Men’s Player of the Three hundred and sixty five days award.
The Atlanta Tipoff Club launched the news Saturday. He beat out Oklahoma Hiss’s Cade Cunningham, Illinois’ Ayo Dosunmu and Gonzaga’s Corey Kispert to rep the award.
Garza issued a assertion upon being named the winner:
“Successful an award in Naismith’s title is an honor my family and I might repeatedly handle. Naismith changed my lifestyles, and so many others, by creating the game that so many love. In 2015, when my dad and I watched Frank Kaminsky accept the Naismith Trophy in Indianapolis, I never belief I could per chance per chance per chance per chance be on this location six years later.
I’m for ever and ever thankful to the College of Iowa, Coach [Fran] McCaffery, the comfort of the instructing workers, my teammates, my family and the infinite folk and coaches who have helped me along the system. That is now not an particular person honor but a team award, and I’m so proud in inform to carry this award dwelling to Iowa Metropolis. Thank you to the Atlanta Tipoff Club for this prestigious award and thanks to Naismith for changing my lifestyles and so many others with the game of basketball.”
That is the 2d time in three years that the Hawkeyes have had a Naismith Player of the Three hundred and sixty five days winner. Megan Gustafson won the females’s award as a senior in 2018-19 to cap off her iconic occupation.
Garza changed into a finalist for the Naismith Men’s Player of the Three hundred and sixty five days award final season but lost to Obi Toppin of Dayton.
There changed into some doubt about whether Garza might per chance per chance per chance per chance be with Iowa this season. He declared for the 2020 NBA draft in April but decided to now not hire an agent to have his college eligibility.
Garza launched in August that he changed into running it abet with the Hawkeyes. The transfer paid off for him and the team. The 22-Three hundred and sixty five days-stale post 24.1 aspects per game. He also shot a occupation-high 44 percent from three-level vary, averaged 8.7 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per contest.
Iowa went 22-9, spent many of the Three hundred and sixty five days ranked in the High 10 of the Connected Press poll and earned a No. 2 seed in the NCAA males’s occasion.
While the Hawkeyes’ hopes for a title resulted in the 2d spherical, Garza capped off his college occupation by scoring 36 aspects on 14-of-20 capturing in the 95-80 loss against Oregon.
