For the second-straight year, University of Minnesota men’s basketball standout Dawson Garcia (Savage, Minn.) has been named a top-10 finalist for the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year Award, announced today by Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
A 6-foot, 11-inch forward, Garcia is having a stellar senior season for the Golden Gophers. In 23 games this season, Garcia holds a Big-Ten best 15 20-point game performances. Of his 23 games, Garcia has scored double-digit points in 20 games while producing two 30-point games this season. He averages a team-best 20.1 points, which ranks second overall in the Big Ten. His 21.2 points against league opponents tops the league. In a stretch from Jan. 10-Feb. 1, Garcia had seven-straight games in which he had over 20 points in a game, which broke a six-year record set by Amir Coffey. Garcia and former Gopher Kris Humphries are the only two Gophers this century to establish a seven-game 20-point performance streak. Garcia’s defensive efforts also shine, as he’s recorded six point-rebound double-doubles this season. His six double-doubles this year are the most for him in a single season and the fastest to reach it in 23 games.
Garcia has also made a name for himself in the Gopher record books. A three-year starter for Minnesota, Garcia has scored 1,405 points as a Gopher, which ranks him 12th in school history (vacated games excluded). Garcia has also reached over 500 career rebounds, making him the 22nd Gopher to reach over 1,000 points and over 500 rebounds. He also ranks 11th in free throws made and 12th in free throws attempted.
Fans are encouraged to participate in Fan Voting in both of the remaining rounds starting today, February 7, on hoophallawards.com. The Fan Vote will count as one committee vote during the finalist selection process.
In March, the Top 10 list will be narrowed to just five, and in late March, the five finalists will be presented to Abdul-Jabbar’s selection committees, where winners will be selected. The Selection Committees for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar are composed of top men’s and women’s college basketball personnel, including media members, head coaches, sports information directors, and Hall of Famers.
Now in its 11th year, the winner of the 2025 Abdul-Jabbar will be presented on a to-be-determined date, along with the other four members of the Men’s Starting Five. Additional awards being presented include the Bob Cousy Award (Point Guard), Jerry West Award (Shooting Guard), Julius Erving Award (Small Forward), and the Karl Malone Award (Power Forward).
For more information on the 2025 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award and the latest updates, visit hoophallawards.com and follow @hoophallu and #KareemAward on X and Instagram.
The Gophers will take on No. 23 Illinois on Saturday at 5 p.m. The game will be televised on Big Ten Network, KTLK Radio (1130 AM/103.5 FM), and the iHeart App.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year Award finalists:
Ryan Kalkbrenner, Creighton
Asa Newell, Georgia
Hunter Dickinson, Kansas
Derrick Queen, Maryland
Vladislav Goldin, Michigan
Dawson Garcia, Minnesota
Nate Bittle, Oregon
Oscar Cluff, South Dakota State
Robbie Avila, St. Louis
Maxime Raynaud, Stanford
(info and stock photo courtesy of Gopher Sports)
