Success in college basketball doesn't always translate to a long career in the NBA. Iowa's Luka Garza won nearly every college basketball award there was to snag following his senior year at the University of Iowa. He wound up being a 2nd round draft pick of the Detroit Pistons and a player with a lot to prove and a ton of upside. He remains that today, just not in Detroit.

The Cedar Rapids Gazette and other sources report that the Pistons have declined to pick up Garza's option for the second year of his initial two-year contract.


Garza was a 2nd round pick so only the first year of his rookie contract was guaranteed. Garza earned $925,258 for the 2021-2022 NBA season according to the Gazette. The former Hawkeye great played in 32 games as a rookie for Detroit, averaging 5.8 points per game. Garza spent most of his time in the NBA's G League where he averaged just over 20 points per game and nearly 10 rebounds per contest.

The move means the Garza becomes an unrestricted free agent, free to sign with whichever NBA team he likes. His lack of mobility might hurt him, but teams are always looking for a big that can shoot and Garza has proven to be able to do that at both the college and NBA levels. I hope Luka lands in a great spot and proves the Pistons wrong!

LOOK: 50 images of winning moments from sports history

Sometimes images are the best way to honor the figures we've lost. When tragedy swiftly reminds us that sports are far from the most consequential thing in life, we can still look back on an athlete's winning moment that felt larger than life, remaining grateful for their sacrifice on the court and bringing joy to millions.

Read on to explore the full collection of 50 images Stacker compiled showcasing various iconic winning moments in sports history. Covering achievements from a multitude of sports, these images represent stunning personal achievements, team championships, and athletic perseverance.

30 famous people you might not know were college athletes

Stacker dug deep to find 30 celebrities who were previously college athletes. There are musicians, politicians, actors, writers, and reality TV stars. For some, an athletic career was a real, promising possibility that ultimately faded away due to injury or an alternate calling. Others scrapped their way onto a team and simply played for fun and the love of the sport. Read on to find out if your favorite actor, singer, or politician once sported a university jersey.

More From 104-5 KDAT