Meet The Husky Freshmen: GiGi Garcia
October 10, 2016 | Women's Basketball
The University of Washington women's basketball program welcomed four talented freshmen in 2016-17. GoHuskies.com will introduce a member of the Husky freshmen class each week this fall.
At 6-foot-2-inches, GiGi Garcia is a versatile player who will add additional size and athleticism in the frontcourt. Garcia played her high school ball at CK McClatchey in Sacramento, Calif. and AAU for one of the top travel programs in the country, JBS (Just Believe Sports). The forward was the No. 89 player and 20th-ranked forward by prospectsnation.com.
As a junior, she averaged 17.7 points and 11.3 rebounds per game, leading McClatchy to a 27-7 record, including 7-1 in the playoffs and capped the season as the region's only state champion. Garcia had 19 points, 20 rebounds, four assists and three steals in the title game as the Lions became the first Sacramento City Unified School District girls' team to win a state title.
For her efforts, Garcia was named the Sacramento Bee All-Metro Player of the Year in 2015. The Sacramento, Calif. native also earned honorable mention honors for the All Division California All-State Team and Second Team for Division I by MaxPreps.
After tearing two ligaments, including her ACL, in her knee during a summer league game, Garcia missed her senior season, but has been working hard to get back to full strength for her freshman debut in the Purple and Gold.
Q: Why did you choose the University of Washington?
A: The University of Washington brought a comforting, family-like feeling to me, where everyone had the same goal of being successful.
Q: What are you most looking forward to?
A: Playing with this amazing group of girls! They're coming off a great run and I couldn't feel more blessed to have the opportunity to play and learn from them.
Q: Favorite place to hang out in Seattle?
A: The locker room, we're there all the time.
Q: Why did you choose the number you wear?
A: I've always been number 32 and feel it brings a special positivity to me, forcing me to represent it.
Q: What are your goals for the upcoming season?
A: My goals for the upcoming season are to win and learn from my teammates. I'm coming off an ACL and meniscus reconstruction so just getting back to playing hard.
Q: What is the best moment of your basketball career so far?
A: Winning state my junior year of high school with such an amazing team and coaching staff.
Q: How would you describe your game?
A: Nothing special; I would say I just work hard. I play for my family, team and myself so just working on making those in specific proud.
Q: What are your hobbies outside of sports?
A: I love doing other peoples' makeup.
Q: What is your dream job (not including playing basketball)?
A: I can't think of one in specific but my dream job would be based around others and finding a way to have fun with the outdoors and exercise.
GiGi in her own words... I am Gigi Garcia and no one else. I focus every day on being myself and trying to better others around me as many have helped influence me. I enjoy healthy food and would rather be outside than in a classroom, but am blessed to receive my education from the University of Washington. Basketball has brought great joy and opportunities to me and I love it for that. I am super family based and believe they have made me into a strong woman. The Washington women's basketball team has become my family and just like my family back home, I would do anything for them!
Garcia File:
Full name: Gabriella Marie Garcia
Birthdate: May 28, 1998
Birthplace: Sacramento, Calif.
Nickname: GiGi
Biggest guilty pleasure: cotton candy
Favorite subject in school: Ceramics
Favorite TV show: Prison Break
Favorite movie: Free Willy
Favorite place you've traveled: Cairns, Australia
Favorite musical artist: I don't have just one, but I love 90's-2000 R&B
Pregame superstitions: Everything has to be organized the night before, if not I feel off throughout the day and during the game.
Garcia and the Huskies will play two exhibition games against Central Washington (Oct. 29) and Concordia (Nov. 2) before officially opening the season against Eastern Washington on Nov. 11. For information about tickets, click here.
At 6-foot-2-inches, GiGi Garcia is a versatile player who will add additional size and athleticism in the frontcourt. Garcia played her high school ball at CK McClatchey in Sacramento, Calif. and AAU for one of the top travel programs in the country, JBS (Just Believe Sports). The forward was the No. 89 player and 20th-ranked forward by prospectsnation.com.
As a junior, she averaged 17.7 points and 11.3 rebounds per game, leading McClatchy to a 27-7 record, including 7-1 in the playoffs and capped the season as the region's only state champion. Garcia had 19 points, 20 rebounds, four assists and three steals in the title game as the Lions became the first Sacramento City Unified School District girls' team to win a state title.
For her efforts, Garcia was named the Sacramento Bee All-Metro Player of the Year in 2015. The Sacramento, Calif. native also earned honorable mention honors for the All Division California All-State Team and Second Team for Division I by MaxPreps.
After tearing two ligaments, including her ACL, in her knee during a summer league game, Garcia missed her senior season, but has been working hard to get back to full strength for her freshman debut in the Purple and Gold.
Q: Why did you choose the University of Washington?
A: The University of Washington brought a comforting, family-like feeling to me, where everyone had the same goal of being successful.
Q: What are you most looking forward to?
A: Playing with this amazing group of girls! They're coming off a great run and I couldn't feel more blessed to have the opportunity to play and learn from them.
Q: Favorite place to hang out in Seattle?
A: The locker room, we're there all the time.
Q: Why did you choose the number you wear?
A: I've always been number 32 and feel it brings a special positivity to me, forcing me to represent it.
Q: What are your goals for the upcoming season?
A: My goals for the upcoming season are to win and learn from my teammates. I'm coming off an ACL and meniscus reconstruction so just getting back to playing hard.
Q: What is the best moment of your basketball career so far?
A: Winning state my junior year of high school with such an amazing team and coaching staff.
Q: How would you describe your game?
A: Nothing special; I would say I just work hard. I play for my family, team and myself so just working on making those in specific proud.
Q: What are your hobbies outside of sports?
A: I love doing other peoples' makeup.
Q: What is your dream job (not including playing basketball)?
A: I can't think of one in specific but my dream job would be based around others and finding a way to have fun with the outdoors and exercise.
GiGi in her own words... I am Gigi Garcia and no one else. I focus every day on being myself and trying to better others around me as many have helped influence me. I enjoy healthy food and would rather be outside than in a classroom, but am blessed to receive my education from the University of Washington. Basketball has brought great joy and opportunities to me and I love it for that. I am super family based and believe they have made me into a strong woman. The Washington women's basketball team has become my family and just like my family back home, I would do anything for them!
Garcia File:
Full name: Gabriella Marie Garcia
Birthdate: May 28, 1998
Birthplace: Sacramento, Calif.
Nickname: GiGi
Biggest guilty pleasure: cotton candy
Favorite subject in school: Ceramics
Favorite TV show: Prison Break
Favorite movie: Free Willy
Favorite place you've traveled: Cairns, Australia
Favorite musical artist: I don't have just one, but I love 90's-2000 R&B
Pregame superstitions: Everything has to be organized the night before, if not I feel off throughout the day and during the game.
Garcia and the Huskies will play two exhibition games against Central Washington (Oct. 29) and Concordia (Nov. 2) before officially opening the season against Eastern Washington on Nov. 11. For information about tickets, click here.
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