Luka Garza: stats, last game & news

As a child, Luka Garza spent hours studying Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's moves on old VHS tapes, perfecting the legendary center's techniques in his garage. This early passion for the art of interior play — passed down by his father Frank, a former player at Idaho, and nurtured by the European heritage of his mother Sejla, a former professional — would shape one of the most formidable centers in American college basketball.

At Maret School in Washington D.C., under the guidance of Chuck Driesell, Garza turned that obsession into excellence, becoming the school's all-time leading scorer with 1,993 points. His senior-year averages — 24.6 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game — earned him the D.C. Gatorade Player of the Year award, a prelude to four outstanding seasons at Iowa.

But the Washington native's journey was not without its obstacles. Before his sophomore year, surgery to remove a four-kilogram cyst could have derailed his career. Garza turned that ordeal into extra motivation, rising to become an undisputed superstar in college basketball while completing his studies.

After stints in Detroit and Minnesota, and signing a two-year contract with Boston in 2025, Garza has further enriched his path by embracing his Bosnian roots. His 2023 international debut with Bosnia and Herzegovina, highlighted by a double-double, perfectly illustrates his ability to honor his dual heritage. For this 6'11" center, every game remains an opportunity to refine the art of interior play he has been studying since childhood.