Why Is Luka Garza Not An NBA Prospect?

Luka Garza is one of the most productive college basketball players ever. He has won numerous awards, including the 2020 Naismith College Player of the Year. So why is he not an NBA prospect?

Luka Garza’s Skills

Luka Garza is a center for the Iowa Hawkeyes. He is a 6’11” big who can really score the basketball. He averaged 23.9 points and 9.8 rebounds per game last season. He is also a good free throw shooter, shooting 77.8% from the free throw line. However, there are some skills that he lacks that make him not an NBA prospect.

Scoring

Luka Garza is an incredible scorer. He has an excellent jump shot, both off the catch and off the dribble. He is also a very good post player, with great footwork and touch around the basket. Garza is also an excellent free throw shooter. He has a very high basketball IQ and always seems to be in the right place on the offensive end of the court.

Shooting

Luka Garza is one of the best players in college basketball, but he is not widely considered an NBA prospect. One of the biggest reasons for this is his shooting.

Garza is a 6’11” center who plays for the University of Iowa. He is averaging 22.9 points and 9.8 rebounds per game this season, and he is a two-time All-American. He has improved his shooting percentage from 42.6% last season to 53.8% this season, but he is still only a career 27.8% three-point shooter.

In today’s NBA, teams are looking for big men who can shoot from the perimeter, so Garza’s lack of shooting range is seen as a major flaw. He does have some other skills that could make him a successful role player in the NBA, but his lack of shooting ability will likely keep him from being drafted in the first round.

Rebounding

One skill that Garza possesses that will definitely help him at the next level is his rebounding. For his career, he has averaged 9.7 rebounds per game, which is very good for a center. In his junior year, he averaged 10.7 rebounds per game, which was good for sixth in the country. A big reason why Garza is such a good rebounder is his 6’11” frame and his 7’6″ wingspan. He uses his size and length to box out opposing big men and grab rebounds. In addition, Garza has very good timing when it comes to jumping and he does a great job of going after the ball when it is in the air. Another thing that helps Garza on the glass is his hustle; he is always running after loose balls and trying to get every rebound he can. While Garza’s rebounding will definitely be an asset for him at the next level, there are some concerns about his ability to defend and block shots.

Luka Garza’s Physical Attributes

Luka Garza, at 6’11”, is a very large human. This gives him an incredible advantage over most college defenders, as he is able to simply shoot over them. He also has a very large wingspan, which allows him to protect the rim very well. However, these physical attributes do not make him an NBA prospect.

Height

At 6’11”, Garza has prototypical size for an NBA center. He also has a 7’6” wingspan, which helps him compete on the defensive end and alters shots at the rim. His physical tools will likely be one of the first things that attracts scouts to him.

Weight

Luka Garza weighs 255 pounds.

Wingspan

One reason Luka Garza may not be an NBA prospect is his lack of wingspan. He has an wingspan of 7-feet, which is pretty short for a center. His lack of wingspan means that he will have trouble guarding the rim and will likely be a liability on the defensive end.

Luka Garza’s NBA Comparison

Luka Garza is a 6’11” center from the University of Iowa who is averaging 23.9 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game. He is a two-time All-American and was recently named the 2020 player of the year. Garza has been a dominant force in college basketball the past few years, but there are a few reasons why he is not an NBA prospect.

Kristaps Porzingis

At 6’11” with a 7’3″ wingspan, Luka Garza has the size and length to play the center position at the next level. He’s not the most athletic big man, but he’s quick enough to keep up with most NBA bigs. Garza is an excellent shooter from both inside and outside the arc. He’s a career 38.9% three-point shooter and has made over 40% of his threes in each of the last two seasons. He’s also an 80% free throw shooter. Garza has a nice touch around the basket and is able to finish with either hand. He uses his large frame well to carve out space in the post and is difficult to stop once he gets going. Garza is an above average rebounder and a decent shot blocker. He’s not going to stuff the stat sheet in any one area, but he’s a well-rounded player who can do a little bit of everything on the court.

The biggest knock on Garza is his lack of elite athleticism. He’s not particularly quick or explosive and this could limit his production at the next level. Garza will need to prove that he can defend quicker, more athletic big men in order to be successful in the NBA.

Myles Turner

Turner, a 6-11 center, entered the NBA with a bit more fanfare than Garza. A five-star recruit and the No. 2 player in his class, Turner was expected to be a one-and-done player at Texas. He ended up staying two seasons with the Longhorns, averaging 10.1 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game as a freshman before declaring for the NBA draft.

Luka Garza’s Potential

Standing at 6’11”, Luka Garza is a big man with good hands and a nice touch around the basket. He’s a good rebounder and has shown the ability to block shots. He played well against some tough competition in the Big Ten, but there are a few things that hold him back from being an NBA prospect.

NBA Role Player

Luka Garza is one of the top college basketball players in the country, but he is not regarded as an NBA prospect. The main reason for this is his lack of size and athleticism. At 6’8″, he is shorter than most power forwards and centers, and he does not have the speed or explosiveness to play small forward. His lack of size and athleticism will limit his ability to compete against NBA players, and it is unlikely that he will be able to develop into an NBA-caliber player.

NBA Starter

As a 6’11” center, Luka Garza has the size and skill set to be an NBA starter. He is a good shooter for his size, averaging over two three-pointers per game last season. He is also a proficient rebounder and shot blocker, averaging nearly a double-double last season. However, there are some questions about his athleticism and whether he can defend at the NBA level.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are many reasons why Luka Garza is not an NBA prospect. He is not tall enough, he does not have the necessary strength, and his skill set is not developed enough. While Garza has shown flashes of potential, he is still very raw and needs to develop his game more before he can be considered an NBA prospect.