Luka Garza Voted to 2024 Up Next Game Player Pool

The NBA G League today announced Iowa Wolves two-way center Luka Garza has been voted by the fans to the Up Next Game player pool. 

The NBA G League Up Next Game presented by AT&T will be held as part of NBA All-Star 2024 on Sunday, February 18 at 12:30 p.m. CT at G League Park in NBA Crossover at the Indiana Convention Center. This year’s Next Up Game will feature four teams of seven players competing in two semifinal games. The winner of each semifinal will face off in a Championship game.

The 2024 event features an exciting new tournament-style format where each team will have its own influencer general manager, who will draft their squad, customize their teams’ jersey, and stream the game on their own digital platforms. 

The teams will be made up of 28 NBA G League players, including 10 selected by a fan vote. The remaining 18 players will be selected by the NBA G League and will include eight members of NBA G League Ignite and at least one member of the Indiana Mad Ants, the G League affiliate of the All-Star hosting Indiana Pacers. Each team will be coached by a head coach from the NBA G League.

Garza was selected as one of two player captains for the inaugural Next Up Game presented by AT&T at the 2023 NBA All-Star weekend in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was named the MVP of the game, scoring 23 points and eight rebounds and three assists in 21 minutes, leading his team to 178-162 victory.

In three games with the Iowa Wolves this season (all starts), Garza is averaging 36.7 points on 57.4% shooting from the field, 12.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.7 blocks per game. He earned NBA G League Player of the Week honors on Dec. 19.