Luka Garza

Draft Notes

Garza was the best player in college basketball this past season but is more of a mid to late second round type of NBA prospect, mainly due to his lack of ideal mobility and burst. He was a great college player but most likely a role/bench player in the NBA.

He’s a hugely talented player on the offensive end and his elite skill level and brute strength help make up for his lack of pure speed. He’s got a million little ways to beat you and has uncanny touch around the basket and a much improved 3pt shot.

His development as an outside shooter helps his draft stock a lot.

His lack of mobility will be a huge liability on defense at the NBA level and he’ll likely get abused in the pick and roll. Luka has slow feet and doesn’t move well laterally. He’s gotten himself into really good shape ahead of the draft but is still a slow, plodding big who isn’t an ideal fit in today’s NBA.

Still, it’s hard to bet against a skilled offensive talent who puts in the work to improve his game and his body. I wouldn’t be surprised if he carves out a nice role for himself in the NBA.

Comparisons

• Enes lite
• poor man’s Nikola Vucevic

Draft Projection

mid second round pick in the 2021 NBA Draft

2021 Center Rankings

1. Evan Mobley – 7-0 – USC
2. Alperen Sengün – 6-10 – Turkey
3. Day’Ron Sharpe – 6-9 – UNC
4. Neemias Queta – 7-0 – Utah St. (Portugal)
5. Charles Bassey – 6-11 – Western Kentucky (Nigeria)
6. Jericho Sims – 6-10 – Texas
7. Luka Garza – 6-11 – Iowa
8. Sandro Mamukelashvili – 6-10 – Seton Hall (Georgia)
9. Filip Petrusev – 6-11 – Serbia
10. Santi Aldama – 6-11 – Loyola (MD) (Spain)
11. EJ Onu – 6-11 – Shawnee State
12. Jay Huff – 7-1 – Virginia
13. Balsa Koprivica – 7-1 – Florida State (Serbia)