University of Minnesota men’s basketball standout Dawson Garcia (Savage, Minn.) has been chosen for the Preseason All-Big Ten Team, as announced by the league office. The Preseason All-Big Ten Team was selected by media members covering Big Ten institutions. All ten members of the 2023-24 Preseason All-Big Ten Team received All-Big Ten honors following the 2022-23 season. This is Garcia’s first preseason honor of his career.
Last season, Garcia led Minnesota in both scoring and rebounding with averages of 15.3 points and 6.7 rebounds. His 15.3 points per game ranked 10th in the league, while his 6.7 rebounds per game ranked 13th overall. Garcia started in all 26 games he played, missing five due to a bone bruise injury from January 22 to February 18. In those 26 games, Garcia was Minnesota’s top scorer and rebounder in 10 contests. He shot 45.8 percent from the field and 34.5 percent from beyond the arc. Garcia scored double-digit points in 22 of the 26 games last year, including a career-high 28 points against Ohio State on January 12, 2023. He also recorded a career-high in rebounds when he collected 15 against Nebraska on January 7, 2023. Throughout his collegiate career, Garcia has accumulated 893 points and 440 rebounds.
The Gophers will kick off the 2023-24 season with an exhibition game against Maclaester on November 2. Minnesota’s first regular-season game will be against Bethune Cookman on November 6 at 7 p.m. Both the exhibition and season opener will be broadcasted on B1G +.
2023-24 Media Big Ten Preseason All-Big Ten Team:
– Terrence Shannon Jr., Illinois *
– Julian Reese, Maryland
– Jahmir Young, Maryland *
– Dawson Garcia, Minnesota
– A.J. Hoggard, Michigan State
– Tyson Walker, Michigan State
– Keisei Tominaga, Nebraska
– Boo Buie, Northwestern *
– Zach Edey, Purdue *
– Clifford Omoruyi, Rutgers
2023-24 Media Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year:
– Zach Edey, Purdue
(* indicates unanimous decision)