Garza Will Test NBA Draft Process, Won't Hire Agent

Iowa center will seek feedback without losing eligibility.

Fran McCaffery saw something in Luka Garza when he was a young player, which was why Garza chose to play for McCaffery at Iowa.

It's why the coach encouraged Garza to enter the NBA Draft process.

Garza announced on Friday he would go through the process, but keep his eligibility, a plan he put in all capital letters on the statement he posted on social media.

For Garza to leave for the NBA, he said on a teleconference, it would have to be a "real opportunity." A team, he said, that saw the same thing in him that McCaffery did.

And if he can't find that opportunity, Garza said he would appreciate the feedback.

"I want to hear, also, if it’s not the time to make that move, I want to hear the improvements I need to make, to be ready for that next step after my senior year," said Garza, a 6-foot-11 junior center. So, I’m looking for a lot out of this process, and I’m looking forward to it. It would have to be a real opportunity."

Garza said McCaffery encouraged him to go through the process, the way several Iowa players, including Joe Wieskamp, Garza's teammate, did last season.

"The first time I talked to Coach McCaffery after the season, we went through the season and talked about it, and talked about what he saw in me as a leader and as a player," Garza said. "And then, before I really said anything, (it was) him recommending that I should put my name in and go through this process.

"Coach wants what’s best for me, and that’s why I came to this school, and it was evident that he was the coach for me. He was very excited for me. He wanted me to put my name in this process. He understood, you know, my mindset going through, and I think we were on the same page. I was always really excited for it."

Garza, a consensus first-team All-American, averaged 23.9 points this season. He scored 740 points, a new program single-season record.

He became the first Iowa men’s basketball player to earn national player of the year distinction, receiving the awards from Sporting News, Basketball Times, ESPN, FOX, Stadium and Bleacher Report. Garza was also named the Pete Newell Big Man of the Year, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year, USBWA District VI Player of the Year, and Big Ten men’s basketball player of the year.

“Luka was one of the top players in the country last season and going through the NBA Draft process is something that he should absolutely do,” McCaffery said in a statement. “We fully support Luka in the pursuit of his professional goals. This process is extremely valuable in gathering information from NBA personnel. My staff and I look forward to supporting Luka throughout the process.”

Garza said McCaffery and the Iowa staff have received mixed reviews of his game.

"I’m all over the place," he said. "Some teams really like me, some teams are scared because of my athleticism. I kind of want to hear that for myself. That’s obviously something that’s followed me my entire career, and will continue to follow me. Even if I come back, I obviously will work on it this summer a ton. But it’s something that will always be there.

"I know I’m all over the place. It’s going to depend on the team and what they look for in a player. If it’s about character and the way I play and the way I work, I’ll be in a better position than with a team that’s more concerned about my athleticism."

It's all about fit, he said.

"I'm not going to go in without 100 percent confidence of being able to make a roster," Garza said. "I don't see any interest in ending up in the G-League without any deal or anything like that. That's something I'll be able to get after my senior year.

"Like I said, it's all about fit. I don't know if there's an exact cutoff with the number (of where he would be selected in the draft). I just kind of want to hear where teams see me. It only takes one team."

Garza knows there is an uncertain timetable for workouts and the draft, because the NBA season is currently suspended because of concerns over the COVID-19 coronavirus. The draft is currently scheduled for June 25, but there were reports on Friday that NBA teams are wanting to push it back to August 1.

"I know this process is going to be very unique from any of the years before," Garza said. "I don't know what that would change for me, in terms of me and the position to whether to return or not. I'm definitely going into this not really sure how it's going to go. ... With or without a workout, it's going to be a valuable process."

The Hawkeyes have been projected as a Big Ten title favorite and have been projected among the top teams nationally if Garza returns.

"It's something I've been thinking about every day since the season ended, and going toward this decision," Garza said. "That's why, obviously, I chose to make it very clear in my statement that I'm keeping my eligibility and that I'm excited for the possibility of coming back. There's no way I'm closing the door on either option at this point.

"I came to play for Coach McCaffery, and I would love to give him the opportunity to make a run and win a Big Ten championship. It's something I value very highly."