When you see backup Boston Celtics big man Luka Garza on the court, it is very clear he takes his training seriously, the Celtics center among the hardest-working players on the court whenever he steps on the parquet. And Garza has deep roots in his family when it comes to sport, which likely helped him develop the sort of mindset needed to play his chosen sport at the highest levels.
But unlike a lot of players in the league who have one or even two parents who played professional sports at a high level, much of Garza’s immediate and extended family are pro athletes as well which he spoke about on a recent episode of the team-produced “View From the Rafters” podcast, sharing how that background helped set him up for success in the NBA. “My mother and her twin sister, my aunt, were both professional basketball players,” said Garza. “My uncle was a professional basketball player.”
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“My dad played in college,” he continued. “Grandpa played in college. All three of my cousins are pros right now. And one played in the States for college. The other two just went right to being pros. And then my grandfather on my mother’s side, he was actually a professional soccer player, goalie.”
Nov 12, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics center Luka Garza (52) shoots against the Memphis Grizzlies during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images
“I was just counting on my fingers. I’m pretty sure that’s 10,” added the Celtics center. “He’s the most legendary of all of us, and he passed when I was in college.”
“But his example, especially when I was young, showed how he carried himself as a champion, as a legend of the game in Europe. (It) was an example to me, all my cousins, and everyone in our family that we wanted to look towards someone like that, could be that humble, carry himself in that way, and also win at a high level.”
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This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Luka Garza on how family set him up for success with the Celtics