Luka Garza is phenomenal, nothing else to it. The runner-up to the Naismith award last season, Garza is in his final year of college basketball.
Even though he planned on coming into the NBA this season, Garza decided to finish his senior year before making the switch. One of the main reasons behind the return was to win a trophy he missed out on narrowly.
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While everyone picked Obi Toppin as the College Player of the Year last year, Garza is making a fresh case for himself. Losing to Toppin in the past for Garza, who established his name atop the conversation with a monster performance.
Iowa center Luka Garza finished with 41 points with a .933 FG pct (14-15) against Southern.
The only player in the last decade to have 40 points and shoot 90% was UConn's Amida Brimah in 2014 against Coppin State (40 pts, 13-13). pic.twitter.com/ztj2qC5aft
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) November 28, 2020
Luka dropped 41 points on 14-15 shooting against the Southern University Jaguars. This performance will go down in history as one of the only 40-point performances on 90% shooting.
With this performance in his pocket, coupled with his lineage from the prior season, is Garza a lock for College Player of the Year?
Luka Garza on a mission
Garza’s play against the Southern Jaguars was aggressive but proved another thing. Nobody is really on his level right now. Garza is the most NBA-ready prospect in the entirety of college basketball.
Performances like this are proof of his ability to dominate at the college level. While that may be enough to win the trophy this season, it may not be enough heading into the NBA.
USA Today via Reuters
Nov 25, 2020; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; North Carolina Central Eagles guard Mike Melvin (1) goes to the basket as Iowa Hawkeyes center Luka Garza (55) and forward Keegan Murray (15) and forward Patrick McCaffery (22) and guard Joe Toussaint (1) defend during the first half at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Nonetheless, this is about his chances to become the Naismith Player of the Year this season. When you drop 41-points on 90%+ accuracy in just your second game of the season, you are proving that not many can compete with you.
Considering how people had Garza winning the war heading into the season, these performances just further establish that belief.
Garza will have competition for the crown nonetheless. Oklahoma State University freshman Cade Cunningham is considered a valid candidate for the title. Along with him, you have Illinois University’s Ayo Dosunmu who is a sophomore.
Jared Butler at Baylor, Remy Martin at Arizona State, this list could go deep. However, it seems like we are going to see some ‘Luka Magic’ in the NCAA this season.
