Gophers’ Dawson Garcia named Big Ten Player of the Week

Dawson Garcia #3 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers shoots the game-winning three-point basket as time expires against the Michigan Wolverines during overtime at Williams Arena on January 16, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Golden Gophers defeated t ((Photo by David Berding/Getty Images))

University of Minnesota men’s basketball forward Dawson Garcia on Monday was named the Big Ten Player of the Week.

It’s the second time in his career Garcia has received the award, and first this season. Garcia averaged 25.5 points, six rebounds and shot 58.8 percent from the field as the Gophers got wins at Iowa and against No. 15-ranked Oregon at Williams Arena.

Since an 0-6 start to Big Ten play, the Gophers have won three straight. That streak started with Garcia hitting a buzzer-beater from near half court to beat No. 20-ranked Michigan.

Garcia’s big week

Why it matters: Garcia had 20 points, six rebounds and two assists as Minnesota got its first win at Iowa, 72-67, since 2015. Saturday, he scored a season-high 31 points on 13-of-19 shooting as the Gophers upset No. 15-ranked Oregon 77-69. He added six rebounds, two assists and three blocked shots.

It was his second 30-point game of the season, and he’s scored in double figures in 17 of Minnesota’s 20 games.

Garcia is third in the Big Ten in scoring at 19.7 points per game.

The schedule

What’s next: The Gophers head to No. 8-ranked Michigan State Tuesday night before hosting Washington on Saturday.

Minnesota Golden GophersSports