Today, the Virginia Cavaliers received another important commitment from the transfer portal in former East Carolina Pirate Jayden Gardner. He released his decision through his social media accounts.
The Marathon Continues ?. Virginia what’s good!! ⚔️??⚔️ @UVAMensHoops pic.twitter.com/1YD2oPPMY1
— Jayden Gardner (@Jayy_Baller_1) April 12, 2021
The six-foot-seven forward from Wake Forest, NC, averaged 18.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, and had an average field goal percentage of 47.9% in his 2020-2021 season. In East Carolina’s shocking upset early in the season against Houston, who would eventually make the Final Four, he scored 21 points and had 15 rebounds. Perhaps the most impressive stat that Gardner boasts is his 3-point shooting. This past season, he averaged a staggering 50% from behind the arc. For the Hoos, this would be incredibly useful for the offense of next season.
In an interview with 247 Sports, Gardner revealed that UVA had requested to be his final Zoom meeting and that “[he and the UVA coaching staff] have a great relationship” and that “[he] can progress to the next level on both ends of the court.”
As a rising senior, Jayden Gardner would bring more experience to a Wahoo roster, which graduated three impactful seniors, considering he had been the leading scorer and rebounder for ECU. Following the announcement of Indiana’s Armaan Franklin adding to next year’s Virginia team, these two impact transfers look to assuage doubts about next season.
