Texas A&M (20-14, 9-9 SEC) may have lost to Florida in the SEC Tournament Semifinals, but the season isn’t over, no matter what happens on Selection Sunday regarding the Aggies’ NCAA Tournament chances.
Looking at the strides, this team has made throughout the year, outside of junior guard Wade Taylor IV, senior forward Andersson Garcia’s incredible rebounding ability and defensive instincts have heavily enhanced his NBA playing future.
Garcia has averaged 9.4 rebounds per game this season while accumulating a mind-blowing 320 rebounds from the start of the regular season to Saturday’s loss to Florida. Even more impressive, Garcia is second in the country in offensive rebounds, averaging 4.5, just below Purdue center Zach Edey’s 4.6 per contest/
On Saturday, Garcia grabbed seven rebounds against the Gators. With this number, the senior has now passed former Texas A&M Forward Claude Riley’s 317 rebounds during the 1981-82 season.
For those who have been paying attention, Andersson Garcia, who stands at just 6-7, plays with consistent intensity and determination, emulating NBA rebounding legend Dennis Rodman, as Aggies head coach Buzz Williams has already dubbed Garcia as the “Dominican Dennis Rodman” while paying homage to his Dominican ancestry.
As someone who has covered Garcia’s ascendance throughout his three-year career with the program, this young man deserves a trip to the NCAA Tournament to continue playing at a high level and further increase his NBA chances.
Congratulations, Andersson!
Selection Sunday will take place at 5:00 p.m. CT. and will air on CBS
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