Luke Garcia, PF HAwkeye hoops

[IowaNiceHawk]

Presumably, he made it into Iowa City, this weekend? Luke Garza

Talk amongst yourselves...........

He'll look Real, real, REAL good in Hawkeye Black n Gold

 

[SSG T]

Do you mean Luka Garza??

 

[IowaNiceHawk]

Do you mean Luka Garza??

Of course, who did you think I meant? Andy Garcia ?

Sorry...........Thanks for pointing out my error in the title

 

[JEDN]

He visited a few weeks ago and a visit to Louisville is up next.

 

[skydog0784]

According to this article dated June 2nd, he intends on making a decision by the end of July and IA is the current front runner according to his father...

https://makeplayz.com/highlights-recruiting-update-4-star-pf-luka-garza/

 

[ConiferHawk]

According to this article dated June 2nd, he intends on making a decision by the end of July and IA is the current front runner according to his father...

https://makeplayz.com/highlights-recruiting-update-4-star-pf-luka-garza/

Big news!

 

[HawkAttackDial911]

I watched some video of him. He has a slow, plodding run and a slow/weird release on this shot. Not sure about his defense but he'll have a tough time against quicker players. Other teams will exploit him in the pick and roll. He should help spread the floor. He looks like a slightly better version of Kyle Meyer. A decent backup center.

 

[BGHAWK]

I watched some video of him. He has a slow, plodding run and a slow/weird release on this shot. Not sure about his defense but he'll have a tough time against quicker players. Other teams will exploit him in the pick and roll. He should help spread the floor. He looks like a slightly better version of Kyle Meyer. A decent backup center.

Fran offered? What was he thinking?

 

[HawkAttackDial911]

Fran offered? What was he thinking?

Coaches miss on recruits all the time. Some players have a better learning curve than others. You never know. I'm just stating what I saw in the videos and where I think he fits on this Iowa team. Just a guess. Nothing more, nothing less.

 

[DanL53]

I watched some video of him. He has a slow, plodding run and a slow/weird release on this shot. Not sure about his defense but he'll have a tough time against quicker players. Other teams will exploit him in the pick and roll. He should help spread the floor. He looks like a slightly better version of Kyle Meyer. A decent backup center.

Be sure to tell Fran that. But don't tell the other 21 schools that have offered so far, including three other Big Ten teams. We want THEM to screw up with a 6'10" , 240 lb enforcer who can play a bit of basketball.

 

[CyCity]

I watched some video of him. He has a slow, plodding run and a slow/weird release on this shot. Not sure about his defense but he'll have a tough time against quicker players. Other teams will exploit him in the pick and roll. He should help spread the floor. He looks like a slightly better version of Kyle Meyer. A decent backup center.

His video isn't impressive but Louisville wouldn't have offered him if he couldn't play. I'd put more stock into that than I would a highlight reel

 

[EZ2BJZ]

Personally, I've seen so many highlight videos of players and they are just that: highlight videos. I imagine if someone wanted to piece together highlight videos of me playing a pick up game at the gym I would look like a 4 star prospect too--as long as they omitted 95% of game footage.

I'm going to throw a name out there for no other purpose than what this kid's style of play reminded me of when I remember seeing him in high school: Doug McDermott. Doug McDermott was not overly flashy in high school but was fundamentally solid and had a nice perimeter game. If you recall, he also didn't have a Who's Who of P5 offers either.

The point is this kid is being evaluated based upon potential. And it's certainly possible he could develop into a very nice player. He definitely seems to fit the mold of the type of big man Fran wants for his system. I think Iowa fans would be happy if he fell somewhere in the middle of Doug McDermott and Kyle Meyer by the time his career is over.

 

[hooper56]

Be sure to tell Fran that. But don't tell the other 21 schools that have offered so far, including three other Big Ten teams. We want THEM to screw up with a 6'10" , 240 lb enforcer who can play a bit of basketball.

I kind of think Jim Rowinski would not fit into Fran's style. However if he can find him, he should sign him, right?

 

[DanL53]

I kind of think Jim Rowinski would not fit into Fran's style. However if he can find him, he should sign him, right?

I don't know but Fran and I seem to think Garza gets an offer.

 

[CanadaHawk]

I kind of think Jim Rowinski would not fit into Fran's style. However if he can find him, he should sign him, right?

Understand what you're saying here and my first inclination is to agree with you. Then I remember that the 2 apparent top schools on Garza's list who have offered him are Iowa and Louisville, both running-style schools. Since Fran and Pitino Sr have probably watched Luka more than us, I'm thinking maybe they're seeing something we aren't.

 

[DanL53]

Understand what you're saying here and my first inclination is to agree with you. Then I remember that the 2 apparent top schools on Garza's list who have offered him are Iowa and Louisville, both running-style schools. Since Fran and Pitino Sr have probably watched Luka more than us, I'm thinking maybe they're seeing something we aren't.

Yeah, rebound and pass the ball out so we can run.

 

[hooper56]

Good points Gents. The fast Break starts with a rebound.

 

[WORTHYWISH]

I watched some video of him. He has a slow, plodding run and a slow/weird release on this shot. Not sure about his defense but he'll have a tough time against quicker players. Other teams will exploit him in the pick and roll. He should help spread the floor. He looks like a slightly better version of Kyle Meyer. A decent backup center.

I have the same opinion after watching his videos. Not impressed that Hooker Louisville offered, either. All that said, I think Fran is just trying to get the best players he can get. Unfortunately, players such as Tilmon & Malik are not coming to Iowa. Maybe we should just be happy we got Cook & Weiskamp.

 

[haterz319]

His video isn't impressive but Louisville wouldn't have offered him if he couldn't play. I'd put more stock into that than I would a highlight reel

Nice insult

 

[SSG T]

Nice insult

How is that an insult? It sounds like he's suggesting Fran may have seen more than the video is showing. And he's right, Pitino (big Rick, not little ricky) offering should back that up. Pitino doesn't offer slugs generally.

 

[DanL53]

How is that an insult? It sounds like he's suggesting Fran may have seen more than the video is showing. And he's right, Pitino (big Rick, not little ricky) offering should back that up. Pitino doesn't offer slugs generally.

Yup. As I've said before, it is very easy for we casual observers to spot the talent of a kid like Cook. Or for that matter Dailey. When Cook can dunk with either hand, in traffic, that's special. And though raw, the athletic talent of a Dailey is obvious and if memory serves a 42% three point percentage to go with those dunks and that passing ability?

But when it comes to the workhorse types like Garza, it is really hard to evaluate. I can't do it. I've followed college basketball for four decades. I can't evaluate the high school workhorse guys like Kevin McCale, Ethan Happ, or Luka Garza. But I do know that not every good player jumps three feet straight up or dribbles between his legs.

Gotta trust Fran on this one. And prepare for the "He can't dunk!" stuff for the next four years.

 

[CyCity]

Nice insult

That's not an insult at all. Give me the kid with the Louisville and Pitt offers and worse highlight film over the kid with no offers and a good highlight film all day long.

 

[DanL53]

That's not an insult at all. Give me the kid with the Louisville and Pitt offers and worse highlight film over the kid with no offers and a good highlight film all day long.

As much as I slam CyCity around (and that's....ok) I will back him up here. Garza and his 21 offers including three other Big Ten teams, if we get him, great!

 

[srams21]

While I think Garza would be a nice addition, I would prefer Nunge over him as I think Jack could be a player who can extend a defense as a center and has a little more agility. Both are good recruits, but just different skill sets.

 

[haterz319]

How is that an insult? It sounds like he's suggesting Fran may have seen more than the video is showing. And he's right, Pitino (big Rick, not little ricky) offering should back that up. Pitino doesn't offer slugs generally.

IMO its an insult on Fran. So if Louisville doesn't offer he can't play?
"Louisville wouldn't have offered him if he couldn't play."
I guess the way I read that is Fran doesn't have a clue but Louisville backs it up.

 

[SSG T]

IMO its an insult on Fran. So if Louisville doesn't offer he can't play?
"Louisville wouldn't have offered him if he couldn't play."
I guess the way I read that is Fran doesn't have a clue but Louisville backs it up.

The way I read it is that L'Ville offering is evidence that Fran knows what he's doing. Kind of like UNC going hard after an Iowa lean/commit shows Fran knows what he's doing.

Fran offers and a kid's next best offer is Cal Poly, you might question it. Fran offers and that's only a kid's 4th best offer, there's something to it, even if his video sucks.

 

[haterz319]

The way I read it is that L'Ville offering is evidence that Fran knows what he's doing. Kind of like UNC going hard after an Iowa lean/commit shows Fran knows what he's doing.

Fran offers and a kid's next best offer is Cal Poly, you might question it. Fran offers and that's only a kid's 4th best offer, there's something to it, even if his video sucks.

Good point. But the perception of Fran with isu "people" you can see where I would conclude/assume that opinion.

 

[CyCity]

IMO its an insult on Fran. So if Louisville doesn't offer he can't play?
"Louisville wouldn't have offered him if he couldn't play."
I guess the way I read that is Fran doesn't have a clue but Louisville backs it up.

Not an insult about Fran at all. If Prohm recruits a kid with no big offers compared to a kid with offers from Louisville and Pitt I'm wanting the kid with offers from Louisville and Pitt regardless of their highlight film

 

[DanL53]

I look at offers before rankings as well. Normally. It just depends on when a kid commits though because an early commit often comes before more offers.

Who's going to be better?

Moss? In August before his senior year he barely had any interest!
Bohannon? By August of his senior year he had offers from several Mid-Majors, interest from Wisconsin, and an Iowa offer which he immediately accepted.

And neither of those were exactly early commits but going by Fleming's offers while he was a junior? He should have blown Moss and Bohannon away.

In the end, look at the last two 12-6 records and the recruits we had that lead the team. Compare them to teams that struggled in the Big Ten. And I say, Alright...for the star worshippers out there rankings matter...but obviously not THAT MUCH. And offers? Ask Aaron White.

I know we all want to KNOW before the games are played but many fans on here have suffered miserable seasons while in actually it turned out we did pretty good. Maybe wait until the games are played.

 

[CyCity]

I look at offers before rankings as well. Normally. It just depends on when a kid commits though because an early commit often comes before more offers.

Who's going to be better?

Moss? In August before his senior year he barely had any interest!
Bohannon? By August of his senior year he had offers from several Mid-Majors, interest from Wisconsin, and an Iowa offer which he immediately accepted.

And neither of those were exactly early commits but going by Fleming's offers while he was a junior? He should have blown Moss and Bohannon away.

In the end, look at the last two 12-6 records and the recruits we had that lead the team. Compare them to teams that struggled in the Big Ten. And I say, Alright...for the star worshippers out there rankings matter...but obviously not THAT MUCH. And offers? Ask Aaron White.

I know we all want to KNOW before the games are played but many fans on here have suffered miserable seasons while in actually it turned out we did pretty good. Maybe wait until the games are played.

To be fair you don't know if Moss or Bohannon will be better than Fleming. Obviously it's likely one of them will end up being a solid contributor and better but neither Moss or Bohannon have played at this level and could easily transfer out like Fleming because of playing time

 

[DanL53]

To be fair you don't know if Moss or Bohannon will be better than Fleming. Obviously it's likely one of them will end up being a solid contributor and better but neither Moss or Bohannon have played at this level and could easily transfer out like Fleming because of playing time

That's fair but I wouldn't bet against them.

 

[HoustonREDHawk]

Would Iowa take Garza now, if he wanted to sign now? I don't follow recruiting closely, but don't we still have a decent shot at Williams, Nunge, and Goodwin, who all might be more highly regarded (at least Williams)?

 

[haterz319]

Goodwin was offered by MSU OSU Texas so I highly doubt it. And 247 shows him 100% to Illinois. Williams is not sounding like he is on Iowa from what I have read.

 

[DanHawkPella]

I watched film of the 3 players and based on that limited sample:

Williams A-
Nunge B+
Garza C+

Williams is a pretty complete package and I can see why he is rated so high - athletic and skilled.

Nunge has a high ceiling I think because he's sneaky athletic and still seems to be growing into his size. Very good range out to 25' and that sets up a lot of things for him, but he can also block shots and finish inside. With strength could be VERY good.

Garza's advantage over Nunge is that he plays big. Uses his shoulders well and keeps his hands up at all times. Doesn't bring the ball down, rebounds very well in his area, has a high release point on his shot and has good feet. Not quite as long as Woody, but plays a bit like him close to the hoop except finishes better. Shoots well out to 15-18 feet too. Defensively a liability perhaps - can rebound but not a shot blocker. Again, like Woody. So to me he's a slightly smaller version of Woody who has more ball skills on the offensive end - shooting in particular. He's a good player I think, just a lot closer to his ceiling than the first two.

 

[unoHawkeye]

He could be a contributor offensively as it appears he has a nice mid-range jumper, some good post moves including a hook shot, and can extend his range to the three point line.

However, Garza looks like he'd be an absolute liability on defense with slow feet and wouldn't run the floor very well. He's not very lengthy, doesn't have a very good vertical, and in his videos nearly everybody he played against was significantly smaller than him.

I like Nunge a lot more, and if he's a strong lean to the Hawkeyes, then I say go ahead and take him.

 

[billshawks]

He plays under the rim at 6'10". Another Woodbury. No thank you.

 

[EZ2BJZ]

He plays under the rim at 6'10". Another Woodbury. No thank you.

I don't know how you could compare him to Woodbury. They aren't even close in style.

 

[billshawks]

You're right. Woodbury could run a little bit.

 

[EZ2BJZ]

You're right. Woodbury could run a little bit.

Well, and the fact Garza seems to be more of a stretch 4 while Woodbury was strictly a traditional post player.

 

[unoHawkeye]

Well, and the fact Garza seems to be more of a stretch 4 while Woodbury was strictly a traditional post player.

Being a stretch 4 means that you have to be quick enough to defend the 4. Garza is not. I get that offensively he could contribute, but even there, don't really see the upside.