It was a big night for Iowa football and perhaps and equally big night for Iowa basketball. Fran and Co. played host to a pair of 2017 recruits his weekend.
With no scholarships currently available, Iowa is still on the lookout for a big man to add to the class. The Hawkeyes had 3-star PF Jack Nunge, of Indiana, on campus for the Iowa-Iowa State football game. In a surprising move, 4-star center Luka Garza, from the DC area, cancelled his planned visit to Georgia on Friday and instead took an unofficial to Iowa City.
Luka Garza cancelled his visit to UGA and is instead going to Iowa City. He's expected to commit to Iowa this weekend.
— Georgia Hoops Blog (@UGAHoopsCentral) September 9, 2016
Just over 24 hours later, Garza officially committed to the Hawkeyes. Let the speculation begin on the various scenarios that could play out to open up a spot for Garza. As we discussed here a few weeks ago, the two most likely scenarios ares obviously that someone transfers after the season or incoming freshman Connor McCaffery decides to walk on to open up a spot.
Proud to be a part of the family! #HAWKEYENATION @IowaHoops pic.twitter.com/ECngWSxzDD
— Luka Garza (@LukaG_55) September 10, 2016
As to what the Hawkeyes are getting out of Garza, the big man from the DC metro is just that, a big man. He measures in at 6’11”, 230 lbs and has a bit of what I’d call an old man game. He doesn’t strike you as super athletic at first glance, but he is more than capable of getting up and down the court and playing above the rim from time to time.
He has a nice arsenal of post moves with pretty decent footwork around the hoop. He isn’t going to jump over anybody the way Tyler Cook might, but he is comfortable playing in traffic and through contact around the rim. What really makes Garza a nice prospect is his ability to step outside and knock down a jumper. Picture Adam Woodbury with the ability to stretch a defense by knocking down a few from beyond the arc. The floor spacing that sort of game can create should really open things up for dribble-drives and quick slashes to the basket from guys like Dailey or Cook.
Garza was a highly sought after prospect boasting more than 20 division 1 offers. Most notably, Iowa beat out the likes of Louisville (some people aren’t swayed by hookers and blow?), Indiana and Georgetown. After adding Garza without an open scholarship, you’d think the Iowa staff will now turn their full attention to the class of 2018 and beyond.