University of Minnesota men’s basketball standout Dawson Garcia has signed with the Detroit Pistons and is also scheduled to compete in the NBA 2K26 Summer League.
Garcia, a forward from Savage, Minn., was a three-year standout for the Gophers. In 89 games for the Maroon and Gold, Garcia ranks 10th in career points (1,557) as a Gopher. He also ranked ninth in career scoring average (17.5), 12th in career field goals (546), seventh in free throws made (356) and 10th in free throw attempts (459). During all three of his Gopher seasons from 2022-25, Garcia led the team in points and rebounds, becoming the first Gopher to accomplish this feat since Randy Breuer from 1981-83. The Prior Lake High School product received six postseason All-Big Ten honors in three seasons as a Gopher. He was named a Second Team All-Big Ten selection in both his junior and senior seasons and honorable mention in 2022-23. Garcia was a two-time Preseason All-Big Ten, a multiple-time Basketball Hall of Fame finalist, and a Naismith Trophy Watchlist honoree in his Gopher tenure. He was also a two-time NABC All-District selection.
Garcia arguably saved his best season for his last. He led the team in scoring and conference action alone, averaging 19.2 points, which placed him fourth in the league. In 31 games played, Garcia had 26 double-digit games this past season, 17 20-point games and three 30-point performances. His 17 20-point games ranked as one of the best in the Big Ten. Of those 20-point games, 11 came against Big Ten opponents. In addition, Garcia scored 614 points in 2024-25, which ranked sixth in school history.
NBA 2K26 Summer League will be held in Las Vegas that features all 30 NBA teams and takes place July 10-20, 2025 at the Thomas & Mack Center and Pavilion on the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
(info courtesy of Gopher Sports)
