Iowa’s Garza enters draft, keeps college eligibility
IOWA CITY, IOWA » Iowa All-America center Luka Garza announced he’ll enter the NBA draft process without an agent so he can maintain his college eligibility.
“This year was one I could never have imagined,” Garza said Friday. “None of the awards or accolades could have happened without the University of Iowa, my coaches, and my teammates. Choosing Coach (Fran) McCaffery and Iowa was the best decision I have ever made.
“The NBA has been my dream since I started playing basketball as a kid and I’m going to do everything I can to pursue that. If it ends up not being the right time to make the move to the NBA, I’m excited about the potential of what my senior season as a Hawkeye could have in store.”
Garza was runner-up to Dayton’s Obi Toppin for Associated Press national player of the year after averaging 26.2 points in Big Ten games, making him the first player to average at least 26 in conference play since Purdue’s Glenn Robinson in 1994.
Garza scored a school-record 740 points this season, breaking the program’s 50-year old record. He scored 20 or more in a schoolrecord 16 straight Big Ten games, the longest streak by any player since Ohio State’s Dennis Hopson (16) in 1987.
“Luka was one of the top players in the country last season and going through the NBA draft process is something that he should absolutely do,” McCaffery said.
Duke Carey Jr. entering NBA draft
DURHAM, N.C. » Duke freshman Vernon Carey Jr. is entering the NBA draft.
The 6-foot-10, 270-pound Carey announced his decision following a season in which he was The Associated Press player of the year and newcomer of the year for the ACC. He was also a second-team AP All-American while being named national freshman of the year by the National Association of Basketball Coaches and the U.S. Basketball Writers Association.
Carey had been considered a likely oneand-done prospect and projected firstround pick. He averaged team highs of 17.8 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocks while shooting 57.7% as a physical inside presence.
Creighton’s Alexander enters draft, keeps option to return
OMAHA, NEB. » Creighton guard Ty-Shon Alexander declared for the NBA draft with the option to return to school for his final season of eligibility.
Alexander said he would go through the evaluation process by league executives to determine if he should stay in the June 25 draft or withdrawal by the May 29 deadline. Alexander will be ineligible next season if he hires an agent before that date.
Alexander was named to the All-Big East first team after leading Creighton with 16.9 points per game. He also averaged 5 rebounds, 2.3 assists and a team-high 1.3 steals.
If Alexander returns to school, Creighton will have back all of its starters from the team that ranked No. 7 in the final Associated Press poll.
Arizona freshman Green declares for NBA draft
TUCSON, ARIZ. » Josh Green is the latest Arizona freshman to declare for the NBA draft.
Green made the expected announcement Friday, joining Nico Mannion and Zeke Nnaji in leaving early.
“Ever since I was a little kid in Australia, it’s been a goal of mine to play in the NBA,” Green tweeted. “I’m proud to take a step closer to that dream. After careful consideration with those closest to me, I’ve make the decision to declare for the 2020 NBA draft.”
Green averaged 12 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists during his lone season with the Wildcats. He’s projected to be a firstround pick.
An athletic 6-foot-6 guard, he grew up in Sydney before his family moved to Phoenix. Green played his senior season at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, before joining coach Sean Miller’s heralded 2019 recruiting class that included Mannion and Nnaji.