McMurry men's hoops standout continuing family tradition through fashion

ABILENE, Texas — McMurry men's basketball forward Elias Garcia has always taken pride in his fashion sense.

“Ever since I was like two, I always picked out my own clothes," said Garcia. "I was like no mom -- I don’t want to wear that, I want to wear this.”

Garcia, a native of Houston, is a first-generation American who cares a lot about family. And his interest in fashion ties into his love of family.

“My grandma and great grandma, they would always sew and knit for us.”

The War Hawk hoops standout is a true artist. He is a graphic designer, often draws and creates custom clothing. To create those unique and custom clothes, Garcia uses a sewing machine that's been passed down from his great grandmother.

“It means a lot to me and to my family too. I just feel like all my grandma’s love, It’s living through me, through the machine.”

Now in his second year at McMurry, it's not just fashion that is noteworthy for Elias. He's having a breakout season, already with double-digit starts under his belt.

While basketball and sewing may seem like different worlds, Garcia thinks one helps the other.

“On the court and even school [and] stuff. When you’re sewing you got to pay attention to the little details. Every little thing. I’ve always been real big on that. Every little thing matters. Build up to bigger things.”