Former Iowa star Luka Garza was one of the most decorated players in college basketball, earning two first-team All-American honors and the AP Player of the Year award in 2020/21.
However, concerns about his NBA fit led to him being drafted No. 52 in 2021, and he struggled to find a steady role early on with Detroit and Minnesota.
Now 27 and in his fifth season, Garza is finding his footing with the 46-23 Celtics. In 59 games, he’s averaging a career-high 15.6 minutes, along with 7.4 points and 3.9 rebounds, while shooting an efficient .569/.436/.770.
He told Spencer Davies of RG.org that adapting his game has been key.
“Every summer, I dedicate myself, and even during the season, to improving myself, especially in the seasons where I didn’t play as much,” Garza said.
“That’s my main focus: getting better. I think, especially in the NBA, you’ve got to be able to adapt and change your game or mold it to find a way to have an impact on great teams.
“So for me, that impact is a little different than it was in college. Not playing as much back to the basket, not having the ball in my hands every possession like I did.
“But I think I’ve found ways to be extremely effective through screening, through offensive rebounding, and through scoring when the ball is in my hands in different moments. Picking and popping, shooting, stretching the floor.
“Adding the slow step, other stuff into my game has really helped me. And so, yeah, I definitely developed, and I’m a lot better than I was back then.”
The Celtics targeted Garza last summer after roster changes, signing him to a guaranteed two-year minimum deal.
He’ll carry a $2.8MM cap hit next season before becoming a free agent again in 2027.
Atlantic Notes: Garza, Raptors, Ingram, Sixers https://t.co/LXmVGicivM pic.twitter.com/0CMBtQQA9I
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) March 19, 2026
