By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Iowa Hawkeyes star center Luka Garza is working towards acquiring a Bosnian passport to fulfill his goal of playing for the country’s national team. The American-born Garza has a Bosnian origin from the side of his mother Sejla.
“I’m in the process of getting my dual citizenship. That’s the one thing I got to take care of,” Garza said in Fran Fraschilla’s “World of Basketball” podcast. “I’ve been in contact with the coaches of the national team for several years. My cousin Amar Alibegovic plays on the national team as well. I’ll definitely play with them and with my cousin and obviously the other great players you mentioned [Jusuf Nurkic, Dzanan Musa].”
“Hopefully the next summer or whenever the case may be, whenever the next opportunity is in my near future, I’m definitely going to be wearing that across my chest,” Garza added. The 21-year-old big man may get his chance to debut in a major international tournament in the EuroBasket 2022 if the Bosnian team qualifies.
Garza also mentioned that he’s studying the game of some notable European big men to improve and incorporate certain elements to his own. “You look at Nikola Vucevic, Nikola Jokic both of those guys. Even Jusuf Nurkic who has improved his 3-point shot as well. These guys are the guys that I really like [their game]. What I can improve. Obviously Jokic is one of the best passers in the game and that’s something I’m trying to work on. His ability to score on the post and shoot threes is kind of how I see myself fitting into the NBA.”
In 2019-2020, Garza averaged 23.9 points and 9.8 rebounds in 32.0 minutes over 31 games during his third season with Iowa.
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