3 Players to watch in Timberwolves’ preseason opener vs. Heat
By Will Eudy
2. Luka Garza
Another newcomer to watch is the former college basketball National Player of the Year from the University of Iowa, Luka Garza. The Timberwolves signed him to an Exhibit-10 contract in August.
Garza was drafted 52nd overall by the Detroit Pistons in the 2021 Draft, and put up 5.8 points and 3.1 rebounds in his lone professional season thus far.
While it may seem like a long shot for Garza to make the roster given that he’d have to win the spot over a current rostered player, the big man’s talent and body of work speaks for itself.
He entered the NBA after finishing one of the most decorated collegiate careers of any player in recent memory. In addition to winning college basketball’s prestigious Wooden Award in 2021, he also garnered Big Ten Player of the Year honors twice, won the Associated Press Player of the Year Award, and was a two-time consensus All-American.
Garza may not end up as a superstar big in the NBA like he did in college, but he’s certainly still worth taking a chance on. At 6’10” and 245 pounds, he has the size to bang with larger bigs in the post and be an effective rebounder.
If Garza really shows out in preseason, there’s still a chance he could end up on the roster for this season.