Thursday NBA Draft Chances For Joe Wieskamp & Luka Garza: What Experts Say

Thursday night is the night that former Iowa Hawkeyes Joe Wieskamp and Luka Garza have been working for all their lives. The NBA Draft. It appears very likely that at least one of them, if not both, will be the first former Hawk hoopsters to be chosen in the NBA Draft since 2015.

The Last Hawkeye to be Drafted

After a great career at Iowa where he averaged in double figures all four seasons, Aaron White (below) was taken in the 2nd round (49th overall pick) of the 2015 NBA Draft by the Washington Wizards. He spent a short time in the NBA Summer League over two seasons, but otherwise has played overseas. He's played for four different teams over the last six years, averaging 7.4 points per game.

Joe Wieskamp Has Blossomed

A year ago at this time, very few people would've predicted that guard Joe Wieskamp would likely be the first Hawkeye taken in Thursday night's draft. Wieskamp was impressive at the NBA Combine for a variety of reasons. He scored 26 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in a scrimmage and his vertical jump was measured at 42 inches, according to Hawk Central. You often hear about his length, as well, thanks to his long arms.

Projections for Wieskamp

Hawk Nation reports he had individual workouts with 12 different teams. Here's where four sites are expecting him to be drafted, and by whom:

• Sports Illustrated: 2nd Round (43rd pick) by New Orleans Pelicans
• Bleacher Report: 2nd Round (39th pick) by Detroit Pistons.  Bleacher Report says, "Wieskamp has emerged as a shooting specialist value pick who could go anywhere in the second round."
• The Rookie Wire: 2nd Round (44th pick) by Brooklyn Nets
• NBA Draft Room: 2nd Round (36th pick) by Oklahoma City Thunder

Terribly-Timed Injury For Garza

Garza's career at Iowa is the stuff of legend. The two-time Big Ten and National Player of the Year is Iowa's all-time leading scorer (2,306) and ranks 2nd in school history in rebounds (931). A groin injury at the NBA Combine hindered him and, though now fully-healed, may have a negative impact on his draft stock.

Projections for Garza

Garza has had individual workouts with 11 different NBA teams, according to Hawk Central. Here's what the experts say about the Iowa big man:

• Sports Illustrated: Does not forecast Garza will be drafted
• Bleacher Report: 2nd Round (56th pick) by Charlotte Hornets
• The Rookie Wire: 2nd Round (50th pick) by Philadelphia 76ers
• NBA Draft Room: 2nd Round (59th pick) by Brooklyn Nets

The NBA draft airs on ABC and ESPN Thursday night, July 29, beginning at 7 p.m. Iowa time.

Good luck to Joe and Luka Thursday night. I hope they're both able to give us another roar before the night ends.