From Iowa to NBA: Nick Nurse, Luka Garza make a homecoming visit

The Carroll native and former Iowa player returned Friday

Friday night provided a return home for Nick Nurse and Luka Garza.

An NBA preseason basketball game between the Philadelphia 76ers, coached by Carroll native Nurse, and the Minnesota Timberwolves, featuring former Iowa Hawkeye player Garza, drew an announced crowd of 14,981 at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.

Nurse knows the building well. He was named coach of the NBA D-League team Iowa Energy in 2007.

“It’s hard to believe it’s so long ago,” Nurse said after the game, a 121-111 loss to the Timberwolves.

Nick Nurse, a Carroll native who has coached with the NBA’s Toronto Raptors and Philadelphia 76ers, speaks to media after Friday’s preseason game at Wells Fargo Arena. (Photo by John Naughton.)

Like Nurse, Garza had a homecoming. He was an All-American at Iowa and played for the Iowa Wolves — the G League franchise for Minnesota — at Wells Fargo Arena.

Garza scored 14 points in the victory and drew cheers from the fans.

He said as soon as he crosses the border from Minnesota to Iowa, he feels something special. The crowd had a lot of black and gold, as well as Minnesota blue.

“I have a lot of friends and supporters from Iowa City here,” Garza said.

Former Iowa Hawkeye star Luka Garza (No. 55) awaits a free-throw attempt in Minnesota’s 121-111 win over Philadelphia Friday in an NBA preseason game at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. (Photo by John Naughton.)

Nurse said he had 70 or 80 family members in the stands. He’s regularly returned to his hometown, but giving them a chance to see him back in Iowa with an NBA team is unique.

“It’s a special experience to share with them,” Nurse said.