NCAA Basketball: Analyzing Marquette transfer Dawson Garcia final 4 options
We’re just a few days remaining when it comes to the deadline for NCAA Basketball players leaving the upcoming NBA Draft Draft (July 7th). There are a number of players still in the process, including Dawson Garcia, a 6’11 and 230-pound big man from Marquette.
The power forward/center was a top-30 prospect in the 2020 recruiting class and end up playing up to expectations. The Golden Eagles as a team underachieved but Garcia didn’t, tie for the team lead with 13.0 ppg, along with 6.6 rpg as a freshman. His offensive production was inconsistent at times but did have a number of great individual performances, including six games of at least 20 points this past season.
Garcia had a season-high 28 points against Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Villanova, along with 24 points and 11 rebounds against the talented frontcourt of North Carolina. These games were what put the freshman big man on the map for NBA scouts, along with a potential to spread the floor, making 26 of 73 from three-point range.
Marquette transfer Dawson Garcia has an official list of North Carolina, Illinois, and Arizona, per his father. Could also go back to Marquette. Garcia is also an early entrant to the NBA Draft.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) July 4, 2021
Garcia has great offensive potential that will translate to the next level but it’s the defense that poses a concern. He’s not much of a shot-blocker or defensive anchor at the center position but also may struggle to guard power forwards at the NBA level. That and becoming a more consistent scorer is the key to being a top-40 pick if he opts to return for another NCAA Basketball.
If that happens, we’ll have to also wait to see which team he ends up at. Last week, Garcia entered the transfer portal but could return to Marquette. The other three reported options, Arizona, Illinois, and North Carolina, also could use the talented big man as well.
Here’s a look at how Garcia fits with each of the four contenders.