Iowa's Luka Garza Wednesday was named the lone unanimous selection to The Associated Press preseason All-America team, one of many awards the talented big man has received prior to his senior season.
Garza was joined on the team by Baylor senior Jared Butler, Oklahoma State freshman Cade Cunningham and Illinois junior Ayo Dosunmu. Seniors Corey Kispert of Gonzaga and Arizona State’s Remy Martin tied for the final spot.
Garza was one of college basketball’s dominant players as a junior, averaging 23.9 points and 9.8 rebounds per game while shooting 54% from the floor. The 6-foot-11 forward was a first-team AP All-American and finished second to Dayton’s Obi Toppin in national player of the year voting.
Iowa was ranked a program-high No. 5 in the AP preseason Top 25, in large part due to Garza’s decision to return.
The dynamic Dosunmu also took a look at the NBA before deciding to return, a huge boost for the No. 8 Illini.
The 6-5 guard was the first Illinois player in 20 years to lead the team in scoring as a freshman and sophomore. Dosunmu can do a little of everything on the court, averaging 16.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists while shooting 48% from the floor last season.
Gonzaga was the AP preseason No. 1 for the first time and Kispert’s decision to return was a big part of it.
Illinois big man Kofi Cockburn also received consideration.
