ROSEMONT, Ill. — Yarden Garzon sent shockwaves through the Big Ten in the spring when she entered the transfer portal and left Indiana, ultimately joining conference rival Maryland.
The Ra’anana, Israel native was one of six Hoosiers to transfer away from the program in the offseason, but she was — by far — the most significant. Garzon, in her three seasons in Bloomington, set a program record with 216 made 3-pointers, and she became the 32nd IU player to eclipse 1,000 career points. She ranked among the nation’s top 3-point shooters throughout her IU career.
But she’ll spend her final collegiate season competing against the Hoosiers, rather than for them. It wasn’t a decision she made lightly.
“I mean, it was a long process,” Garzon said Wednesday at Big Ten Media Days. “I talked with my family, with my people, and we got to the decision that that’s the best decision for myself and for my family.”
The wing is focused on her future as a Terrapin, and later achieving her dreams of playing professionally.
But Garzon made clear how much she appreciated her time playing for Teri Moren and representing Indiana.
“I’ll always be grateful for what (IU) did for me, for the last three years,” Garzon said. “Taking (a) girl that nobody really knew, and helped me get through the struggles that comes with all of that, so I always be grateful for that.”
Garzon’s exit, coming after three starters graduated, left IU with one returning starter for the coming season in guard Shay Ciezki.
The Israel native declined to elaborate on her reasoning for entering the portal. But she said the decision was her own, and not influenced by all the other players who transferred — Jules LaMendola, Lilly Meister, Lexus Bargesser, Henna Sandvik, and Sharnecce Currie-Jelks. Garzon said she’s kept in touch with her former teammates and is happy that the other portal entrants found new homes and are happy.
But along with her love for the program, Garzon made sure to thank the fans who supported her throughout her IU career.
“I hope they will go and keep supporting me. I know now it’s harder. But know that I love them and I appreciate everything they did for me and for the program, the last few years,” Garzon said. “I really loved them, so I can’t say anything bad about the fans.”
Garzon earned All-Big Team second team honors twice as a Hoosier, including last year as a junior. She led IU in scoring with 14.4 points per game, and her 40.7 3-point clip was the best on the team. She also averaged 5.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.3 steals per game, with 2.5 turnovers per game.
The wing joins a Maryland program coming off a Sweet 16 appearance, and she’s part of why the Terps are in the mix among the best teams in the Big Ten this season.
Garzon said she chose Maryland because she built strong connections with the people in the program.
“I had great conversations, a great phone call with Coach B (Brenda Frese), and I came to visit really quickly. I felt like everybody are really open with me, very honest,” Garzon said. “I loved what the program is about. I love the competitiveness, I love the openness. I love that everybody are really authentic and it’s like a big family, so I felt really good being around them.”
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