Ex-Gophers standout betting on himself after signing with Detroit Pistons

Dawson Garcia finally found a home—and he’s staying in the Midwest.

The former Minnesota Gopher is signing with the Detroit Pistons. The specifics haven’t been announced, but with the deal coming right after the draft, odds are it’s an Exhibit 10 contract—not a two-way or standard NBA deal.

That puts Garcia on the Pistons’ Summer League roster with a chance to earn his way into training camp, a two-way slot, or a spot with Detroit’s G League affiliate.

He’ll also reunite with a familiar face. Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff spent two seasons with the Gophers from 1999 to 2001, long before his NBA coaching days, giving Garcia at least one connection as he makes his next jump.

It’s been a winding road for Garcia. Stops in the Big East, ACC, and Big Ten. But his best stretch came the last three years with Minnesota after transferring from North Carolina in 2021.

Garcia was a four-star prospect out of Prior Lake, Minnesota, and ranked No. 32 nationally in the 2022 recruiting class, according to 247Sports.

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The 6-foot-11 forward averaged 19.2 points and 7.5 rebounds this past season, shooting 47.4% from the field. He had three 30-point games and topped 20 points 18 times—showcasing the scoring touch that’s made him an intriguing NBA prospect.

Detroit’s long-term frontcourt depth is still a question mark, which gives Garcia’s size and scoring touch a real chance to stand out. For a Pistons team looking to build off a playoff run, he’s exactly the kind of low-risk project worth investing in.

Now it’s on him to prove he belongs.