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All-American Luka Garza is entering the NBA draft but keeping his options open to return to Iowa next season.

The 6-foot-11 big man was the Big Ten Player of the Year and a unanimous first-team All-American as a junior in 2019-20. He will enter the 2020 NBA Draft without signing with an agent.



“This year was one I could never have imagined,” Garza said Friday. “None of the awards or accolades could have happened without the University of Iowa, my coaches, and my teammates. Choosing Coach (Fran) McCaffery and Iowa was the best decision I have ever made. With that said, after meeting with my family and coaches I have decided that I will be declaring for the 2020 NBA Draft, and throughout this process I will be keeping my eligibility.

“The NBA has been my dream since I started playing basketball as a kid and I’m going to do everything I can to pursue that. If it ends up not being the right time to make the move to the NBA, I’m excited about the potential of what my senior season as a Hawkeye could have in store. Thank you to Hawkeye Nation for this unforgettable journey thus far. Go Hawks!”

I’m a Hawkeye for life🙇🏻‍♂️💛 pic.twitter.com/VG0rJaLHeZ

— Luka Garza ✞ (@LukaG_55) April 10, 2020

Garza, 21, averaged 26.2 points in 20 Big Ten games last season.

“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. “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.”

If only you knew what this meant to my family and I. Surreal! Thank you Mr.Jabbar it’s truly an honor to win an award in your name. Couldn’t of happened without my teammates, coaches, and the University of Iowa. #GOHAWKS https://t.co/LxcKd37UOv

— Luka Garza ✞ (@LukaG_55) April 7, 2020

–Field Level Media (@FieldLevelMedia)