Luka Garza keeping No. 55 with Detroit Pistons

Pistons draftee from Iowa said opportunity is “all I needed in life”

Jul. 30, 2021 3:27 pm, Updated: Jul. 30, 2021 4:30 pm

Detroit Pistons draft picks Cade Cunningham, Isaiah Livers and Luka Garza Friday in Detroit.

The press conference basically was for Cade Cunningham Friday, but Luka Garza had a spot at the Detroit Pistons’ table.

“I’m just really, really thankful and grateful to the organization for taking the chance on me and giving me an opportunity,” Garza said. “And that’s all I needed. Ever.

“I always feel like I’m going to work as hard as I can to maximize my potential on and off the floor, so I look forward to doing that here.”

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Garza was drafted late Thursday night, in the second round at No. 52 by the Pistons, who already had selected Oklahoma State point guard Cunningham with the draft’s first pick and Michigan forward Isaiah Livers in the second round at No. 42, one spot after Iowa’s Joe Wieskamp went to the San Antonio Spurs.

“We wanted hardworking, selfless, competitive guys who were about the right things,” Pistons General Manager Drew Weaver said.

Garza was given jersey No. 55, the same number he wore at Iowa in becoming the program’s all-time leading scorer and the 2021 consensus National Player of the Year.

All four Pistons draft picks (including No. 57, Balsa Koprivica of Florida State) were to go to Comerica Park in Detroit Friday night, with Cunningham throwing the ceremonial first pitch at the Baltimore Orioles-Detroit Tigers game.

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