“My heart is in Iowa City,” Garza said. Garza was a consensus first-team All-American and runner-up for Associated Press national player of the year. He still looks like a baby. THE BIG TEN IS BACK! With Garza's announcement, Iowa returns seven players with significant starting experience. News from The Associated Press, and a taste of the great journalism produced by AP members and customers. His 23.9 points per game ranked fifth nationally, and his 26.2-point average in conference games was the highest since Purdue’s Glenn Robinson averaged 31.1 in 1994. The 6-foot-11, 260-pound center from Washington, D.C., scored 20 or more points in the last 16 games of his junior season, the longest streak by an Iowa player since 1971. They play in the Western Conference in the NBA G League, a minor league basketball organization run by the National Basketball Association (NBA). “With the overall depth, length, and experience that we have returning I believe we have a group determined to make the most of this season,” Garza said. I love my teammates, coaches, community, fans and university. That list includes B.J. Garza was a consensus first-team All-American and runner-up for Associated Press national player of the year. “He is willing to bet on himself, which shows tremendous confidence,” McCaffery said. Sandfort is the top option for Iowa in the 2021 class and he took in Iowa City a few weeks back. The roots of Iowa basketball lie in 1901, when Ed Rule coached the Hawkeyes to a 10–2 record in their very first season of varsity basketball. Garza scored 25 points or more 13 times last season and had seven games with at least 25 points and 10 rebounds. Iowa Hawkeyes Basketball ACC, B1G Challenge Dates The ACC-Big Ten Challenge is moving forward with a plan to play games Dec. 8 and 9 on campus (CBS Sports) ", "If we’re having a problem with someone inside, he’s not afraid to go in there and take the person on right away. IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Big Ten player of the year Luka Garza announced Sunday he is withdrawing from the NBA draft and will return to Iowa for his senior season. (AP Photo/Cliff Jette, File), Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. "I think his upside is intriguing. “I love this place too much to leave it. Rule coached the Hawkeyes in four non-consecutive seasons (1901–02, 03–04, 05–07), leading Iowa to a 37–15 record under his watch. There is no better feeling than having student-athletes here for the right reasons, who want to be great and do it in our program.”. The Waterloo Hawks were a National Basketball League and National Basketball Association team based in Waterloo, Iowa.The Hawks remain the only sports franchise ever based in Iowa from any of the current Big Four Leagues. “My heart is in Iowa City,” Garza said. The Iowa basketball program has been well represented in the NBA championships over the years. His 15 double-doubles were the most by an Iowa player since 2002. I think once he hits the college weight room, I think that will help him a bunch. IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Big Ten player of the year Luka Garza announced Sunday he is withdrawing from the NBA draft and will return to Iowa for his senior season. He led the Hawkeyes to 20 wins and a likely NCAA Tournament bid if it had not been for the coronavirus pandemic, which caused the tournament to be canceled. Former Iowa Players Currently In The NBA * NBA stats from the 2019-2020 season. It’s a lot of fun when a kid is so confident but then at the same time so hungry. That's all the Iowa content, insight, discussion and scoop that you crave for one ridiculously low price! Tyler Cook had a tremendous career at Iowa, leaving early in 2019 following his junior season. His 23.9 points per game ranked fifth nationally, and his 26.2-point average in conference games was the highest since Purdue’s Glenn Robinson averaged 31.1 in 1994. He led the Hawkeyes to 20 wins and a likely NCAA Tournament bid if it had not been for the coronavirus pandemic, which caused the tournament to be canceled. Read more ›. It would have been way too hard to close the book without the last chapter.”. “My heart is in Iowa City,” Garza said. His 15 double-doubles were the most by an Iowa player since 2002.