One of the top transfers of interest in ACC circles is set to make a decision in the next few days. East Carolina transfer forward Jayden Gardner will announce his decision next Monday, April 12.
As soon as he entered the transfer portal, Gardner became a hot commodity from programs looking to add low-post scoring; earlier this week, the 6-foot-7 Gardner announced his top five. Three of the five programs in Gardner’s top five are in the ACC: NC State, Virginia and Miami.
Thank you everybody for all the love and support I’ll be making my decision where to play on Monday 🖤
— Jayden Gardner (@Jayy_Baller_1) April 9, 2021
Outside of that trio of ACC schools, Gardner will also consider LSU and Arkansas.
During three seasons with East Carolina, Gardner scored 1,462 points (18 points per game) and grabbed 705 rebounds (8.7 rebounds per game).
As a junior, Gardner averaged 18.3 points (47.9 FG%) and 8.3 rebounds per game in the 2020-21 season. This campaign included a powerful performance in ECU’s upset of Houston: 21 points (6-of-13 2PA) and 15 rebounds.
Gardner, who hails from Wake Forest, NC, is a solid source of low-post offense. In each of the last two seasons, he’s scored better than 1.01 points per post-up possession, according to Synergy Sports. Gardner shot a combined 52.4 percent on post-up attempts over his final two seasons with the Pirates.
Wherever Gardner lands, he will add an important rebounding component, too. Gardner posted a defensive rebound rate of 21.5 percent this season, one of the top numbers in the country. According to Synergy, Gardner shot 63.2 percent on put-back field goal attempts after an offensive rebound.
Read More on Jayden Gardner and ACC Basketball
Virginia adds IU sharpshooter, two-way guard Armaan Franklin