Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy reflects on the case before the Supreme Court on how colleges can reward athletes who play Division I basketball and soccer.
Iowa star Luka Garza is one of the University Player of the Year pioneering digital pioneers.
Garza becomes the first university athlete to auction a limited edition, NFT or non-fungible sign. It became available on Tuesday night at 6pm ET at OpenSea.
“I saw it as a great opportunity,” Garza told Fox News on Monday. ‘I wanted to do something that had not yet been done by an athlete from the university. And of course, I researched guys like Rob Gronkowski and Patrick Mahomes and different athletes who were able to do it successfully, but it really is a unique opportunity. ‘
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Luka Garza’s NFT will be available at OpenSea on Tuesday night at 18:00 ET.
NFTs are digital files supported by blockchain technology – the same technology on which popular cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin rest. But unlike Bitcoin, an NFT is a unique item and the ledger on which it remained confirms that it is a unique item.
Garza’s senior season came to an end on March 22 when the Hawkeyes fell in the second round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament in Oregon, Oregon. And although his career in Iowa was over, Garza acted immediately to benefit his name.
The NFT is a signature of Garza, and whoever wins the auction will have a personal connection with him.
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The winner will also receive Garza’s signature shoes from the game on Feb. 22 when he set the Iowa record. The eventual winner is also waiting for the opportunity to play a game of horse with him, as well as a private meditation session. There will also be an evening hosted with Garza, and the winner will also receive a lifetime VIP pass to any basketball camp he hosts.
Garza, a major in economics in Iowa, said he’s been following the tech world for a while, and his father, Frank Garza, was co-founder of the software sales coaching firm, Conscious Selling, and so it was a good idea for the Iowa star to use. this opportunity to start branding right away.
“I’m very passionate about it,” Garza said. ‘And I see it as an opportunity for someone to take advantage of it and learn a lot of cool things. It’s really going to be very special. ”
A portion of the proceeds goes to the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital. Garza says ‘giving back to the university that helped him so much’ is something he is really passionate about.
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 22: Luka Garza # 55 of the Iowa Hawkeyes is put under pressure by Eugene Omoruyi # 2 of the Oregon Ducks in the second round of the 2021 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament held on March 22, 2021 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Ind
Except for his NFT, it was a historic year for Garza.
He has won the AP and NABC Player of the Year awards, the Wooden Award, as well as the Oscar Robertson Trophy. The Iowa star notes that he has come a long way in attending the 2015 Final Four in Indianapolis. He recalls seeing Frank Kaminsky of Wisconsin accept the Naismith Trophy, which is awarded to the best player in college basketball who dreams he might one day be recognized with the same award.
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“My university career means everything to me,” Garza said. ‘The things I’m going to remember most are not the awards or the games. I think these are going to be the memories and relationships I built with the guys in that locker room and with my coaches. And I think this is something that is going to be very special to me for a very long time. ”
Garza completed his career in Iowa with an average of 18.2 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game. During his incredible senior season, he piled up a career high of 24.1 points per game, succeeding along with 8.7 rebounds and 1.6 blocks. The 6-foot 11 and 270-pound forward should be named the name of the NBA draft early on.
But while he may be a future draft pick in the first round, he is currently the first college player with his own NFT – but given the growing popularity of this digital trend – it probably won’t be the last.