International Programs will kick off the first in its Global Alumni Spotlight Series in a talk entitled "Hoops and Hawks: a conversation with Luka Garza." 2021 national player of the year, Luka Garza will discuss life in and outside of basketball and the enriching effects of international exposure and multi-cultural experiences. 

Free and open to the public, the discussion will be held on June 3, 2021 from 7-8 p.m., and will take place virtually through Zoom.

Luka Garza wrapped up his final season of basketball at the University of Iowa as the team’s all-time scoring leader. His list of awards and honors includes the 2021 consensus National Player of the Year, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year, Lute Olson Award, and more. This conversation will touch on Luka’s experience at the University of Iowa and how his international roots helped shape the person and player he is today. Luka is of half-Bosnian descent. His mother, Sejla (Muftić) Garza, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, played basketball professionally in Europe; his grandfather, Refik Muftić, was a world-class football (soccer) goalkeeper for Sarajevo; and his uncle and cousins are involved in professional basketball in Europe.

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact Sarolta Petersen in advance by email at sarolta-petersen@uiowa.edu or call 319-467-1653.