Garza Named USBWA First Team All-America, Oscar Robertson Trophy Finalist

by | Mar 17, 2021 | Basketball Blogs, RRSN News | 0 comments

IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa senior Luka Garza was voted to the United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) First-Team All-America team. The announcement was made by the USBWA on Wednesday.

Joining Garza on the first team are Ayo Dosunmu of Illinois, Gonzaga’s Corey Kispert, Jared Butler of Baylor, and Oklahoma State’s Cade Cunningham.

Among the first-team selections, Garza, Dosunmu, and Kispert are the finalists for the Oscar Robertson Trophy, presented to the national player of the year by the USBWA. The winner of the award will be announced on April 1 in a virtual event in conjunction with the Final Four in Indianapolis, the hometown of Oscar Robertson.

The USBWA is one of four outlets used by the NCAA to determine its consensus All-America teams (Associated Press, National Association of Basketball Coaches, United States Basketball Writers Association, and Sporting News). Garza has already been named to the first-team All-America squad by Sporting News and the Associated Press. The NABC is expected to make its announcement in the coming days.

Iowa has had an All-American in three of the last six seasons. Garza is a two-time first-team honoree (2020, 2021), while Jarrod Uthoff was a second-team selection in 2016.

Garza is also a finalist for the Oscar Robertson Trophy, Naismith Trophy, Wooden Award, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award, Senior CLASS Award, and the Lute Olson Award.

Garza (6-foot-11, 265 pounds) has led the eighth-ranked Hawkeyes to 21 victories this season, including wins in eight of their last 10 contests. The Washington, D.C., native leads the nation in total points (687); player efficiency rating (35.84); 30-point games (7); field goals made (258); and 20-point games (19). Garza is seventh nationally in free throw makes (134) and attempts (188), and 10th in double-doubles (13).

The two-time Big Ten Player of the Year averaged 21.9 points per game during the 20-game conference schedule, becoming the third player since 1990 to lead the Big Ten in scoring in consecutive seasons (Michigan State’s Steve Smith and Evan Turner of Ohio State).

Garza broke the Iowa’s 32-year old scoring record held by Roy Marble on Feb. 21, 2021. His 2,246 points rank eighth-best in Big Ten history. In addition to ranking first in career scoring, Garza is tops at Iowa in conference scoring (1,399), total field goals made (847), field goal attempts (1,558), and 40-point games (2); second in rebounds (916) and 30-point games (12); fourth in double-doubles (34); fifth in blocked shots (153); sixth in free throw makes (439) and attempts (625); and 13th in 3-pointers made (113). He is the only men’s basketball player in Big Ten history to accumulate 2,200 points and 900 rebounds.

No. 2 seed Iowa (21-8) will open NCAA Tournament play on Saturday against 15th-seeded Grand Canyon (17-6). Tipoff is scheduled for approximately 5:25 p.m. (CT) at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum in Indianapolis.

2021 LUKA GARZA HONORS

Big Ten Men’s Basketball Player of the Year

Sporting News National Player of the Year

USBWA District VI Player of the Year

First Team All-America (Associated Press, Sporting News, USBWA)

Wooden Award National Ballot

Senior CLASS Award Finalist

Naismith Trophy Semifinalist

Oscar Robertson Player of the Year Trophy Finalist

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year Award Finalist

Lute Olson Award Midseason Top 30

Related Content

Mar 27 2024

Schwieger Named Kyle Macy Freshman All-American by CollegeInsider.com

Schwieger Named Kyle Macy Freshman All-American by CollegeInsider.com Valparaiso University men’s basketball freshman Cooper Schwieger (Overland Park, Kan. / Blue...
Mar 27 2024

No.7 Marian sweeps Bethel softball

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. --- The Bethel Pilots Softball squad (7-18, 3-9) lost two Crossroads League games vs. Marian University (21-3, 10-2) Tuesday evening. GAME 1 The...
Mar 26 2024

Ohio State Tops Final USA Hockey/The Rink Live Women’s College Hockey Poll

Ohio State Tops Final USA Hockey/The Rink Live Women's College Hockey Poll USA Hockey/The Rink Live 2023-24 Women's College Hockey Poll - Week 25 (First-place votes in...
Mar 26 2024

Blank, Houston to be recognized by Indiana Basketball Coaches Association

Blank, Houston to be recognized by Indiana Basketball Coaches Association Terre Haute North boys' assistant, Lafayette Jefferson girls' assistant to receive PGC...
Mar 26 2024

Pilots baseball drops two at Huntington

HUNTINGTON, Ind. --- The Bethel Baseball squad (8-18, 3-13) lost twice (11-1, 2-1) on Monday vs. the Huntington Foresters (16-11, 11-5). GAME 1 Huntington scored...