Celtics' new center fueled by what's in front of him

At Summer League in Las Vegas, Luka Garza shared with this author that the opportunity he'll have with the Boston Celtics is what motivated him to sign with the 18-time NBA champions.

"Obviously, the franchise speaks for itself, just the winning and the history, and I'm a big basketball junkie, so obviously the chance to put on that uniform and play for the Celtics is attractive enough," voiced Garza.

"But obviously, there's a lot of opportunity, especially in the front court, with the guys that we have. I think the front office and the coaches believe in me and what I can do. So I just saw that as really good for me at this stage of my career." 

The six-foot-10 center is preparing for the best opportunity of his career. Instead of sharing a depth chart with former teammates Karl-Anthony Towns, Rudy Gobert, and Naz Reid, he's now competing for minutes with an unproven group.

Garza joins a center rotation featuring Neemias Queta, the frontrunner to start at the pivot. Xavier Tillman Sr. and Chris Boucher aren't traditional fives, but will factor into a center-by-committee approach.

As the season creeps closer, the former AP Player of the Year at Iowa is also making time to give back to the community.

Thursday, Garza was at The Track at New Balance, near his new team's practice facility, where he participated in a Q&A and helped run a youth basketball clinic for the Jr. Celtics presented by New Balance.

Afterwards, the 26-year-old center discussed the motivation he’s drawing from the opportunity that's in front of him as he gets ready for a season that could change the trajectory of his career.

"I'm motivated every single offseason, just because my mindset is all about trying to maximize the talents that God gave me and become the best basketball player I can become," said Garza. "But especially when you're walking into a situation where it seems like there's a lot of opportunity, that's something that's extremely exciting for me.

"I've always kind of been in different positions and different points in my career. So, this, for me, it feels like this is a moment where not only the work that this summer is having, but the work that I've been doing my whole life, especially since I got to the league, has prepared me for what's to come. So I'm just extremely fortunate and ready to go."

The blueprint Luka Garza hopes to follow

Garza has had a front row seat as several of his teammates have gone from sitting in the chair next to him to carving out their place in the NBA.

The four-year veteran shared with Hardwood Houdini the impact that had on him. He's also learned from a former Celtic with whom he teamed as a rookie with the Detroit Pistons.

"I've had just so many great mentors, so many great vets, guys like -- even Kelly Olynyk, who played here, was someone who was very important in my growth," said Garza. "And obviously, guys like KAT [Karl-Anthony Towns] and Rudy, and Naz, there are so many stories. Nickeil [Alexander-Walker]; the guys that I saw -- especially Nickeil and Naz, they just gave me a blueprint that I saw in front of me."

Fans now know Reid as one of the most impactful young centers in the league. He is a starting-caliber player who has gone from a two-way deal to signing multiple lucrative contracts. That includes the Timberwolves inking him to a five-year, $125 million deal to keep him in Minnesota.

Garza remembers when Reid was fighting to prove he was worthy of playing time.

"When Naz was with me when I first got there, and we'd just done the Rudy trade, the first couple of games of the year, he was sitting right next to me, getting DNP's [did not play], and obviously everyone knows what happened after that, and that'll never happen to him again.

"That's my goal, is to put myself in that position. And the same thing with Nickeil. When he got to us, who knows what his future was in the league? But he took advantage of opportunities that were there. And [he] actually just got paid this summer. So I've seen the blueprint, and I've been around so many amazing guys, coaches, staff, all of that. So, it's kind of just using all those examples, and to fuel me and to learn from."