Luka Garza, once an Iowa basketball icon and now a Boston Celtics center, has been making waves with some pretty bold claims about Michigan State’s basketball program. On teammate Derrick White’s podcast, Garza criticized the Spartans for supposedly keeping shoddy basketball equipment at the Breslin Center to snag a second-half edge.
He also mused about how being able to profit from name, image, and likeness (NIL) might’ve changed his college days. Let’s take a closer look at what Garza had to say and his thoughts on his Iowa years.
Garza’s Accusations Against Michigan State
On the podcast, Garza didn’t mince words about Michigan State’s tactics. He claimed the Spartans purposely leave one rim in worse shape than the other, making it tough for visiting teams to score after halftime.
Garza argued that this move gives Michigan State a solid advantage, helping them mount comebacks after slow starts. It’s a pretty wild accusation, but he seemed convinced.
Garza’s Performance at the Breslin Center
His claims aren’t just random—they’re rooted in his own games at the Breslin Center. From 2017 to 2021, Garza played the Spartans six times and ended up with a 2-4 record.
His stats at Michigan State’s home court? Not great, honestly. In three road games, he shot just 1-for-10 with seven points in 2018, 8-for-21 with 20 points in 2020, and 3-for-11 with eight points in 2021.
The Impact of NIL on Garza’s Career
Garza’s college years lined up with a turning point in college sports. Just before the 2021 NBA Draft, the Supreme Court ruled that college athletes could finally get paid for their name, image, and likeness.
As a huge star during his junior and senior seasons, Garza admitted this change could have really shifted his path.
Potential for Financial Gain and Transfers
He said the chance to make money through NIL deals would’ve been tempting. But he also saw the flip side: he might’ve been lured to transfer to a bigger program with deeper pockets.
Garza was actually grateful he didn’t have to deal with all the NIL chaos. It let him focus on his own growth and build real connections at Iowa.
Garza’s Professional Journey
After his senior season in 2021, Garza got picked 52nd overall by the Detroit Pistons in the NBA Draft. He played one season with the Pistons, then signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves in August 2022.
During his three years in Minnesota, he split his time between the Timberwolves and their G-League team, the Iowa Wolves. It wasn’t always glamorous, but he kept working.
A New Chapter with the Boston Celtics
In July 2025, Garza signed a two-year, $5.5 million deal with the Boston Celtics. This season, he’s having his best year yet—averaging 8.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, shooting 59% from the field, 45.7% from three, and playing 17.1 minutes per game.
Garza’s success with the Celtics is a testament to how far he’s come. It’s been a journey, and, honestly, who knows what comes next?
Conclusion
Luka Garza’s recent comments about Michigan State’s basketball program and his thoughts on NIL give us a raw look at what college athletes are really up against. The accusations he made against the Spartans? Definitely controversial, but they also highlight just how fierce and complicated college basketball can get.
Garza’s journey as a pro is a reminder of his grit and how much he’s poured into the game. If you want to dig deeper into Garza’s interview and his take on Michigan State and NIL, check out the full article on Hawk Central.
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