UVA Makes Huge Splash By Adding ECU Transfer Jayden Gardner
Just a handful of days after adding Armaan Franklin from Indiana, the UVA basketball team made another splash by inking Jayden Gardner from East Carolina. Gardner, one of the hottest prospects in a loaded transfer portal, played three years for ECU and has two years of eligibility remaining.
Gardner announced the news on Twitter, saying it’s “been a dream of mine to play in the ACC and compete against the best of the best.”
The Marathon Continues 🏁. Virginia what’s good!! ⚔️🔹🔸⚔️ @UVAMensHoops pic.twitter.com/1YD2oPPMY1
— Jayden Gardner (@Jayy_Baller_1) April 12, 2021
Wearing a Virginia shirt, the 6-foot-7 forward told WITN’s Tyler Feldman that he and Tony Bennett “had a good connection from the start.”
A two-time all-conference selection, Gardner averaged 18 points and 8.7 rebounds per game over his three-year career. Gardner was also a member of the all-academic team during his time in Greenville.
The @UVAMensHoops team got a very special player and person in transfer Jayden Gardner.
In Part I of my conversation with @Jayy_Baller_1, the former #ECU standout explains why he decided to join Tony Bennett and the #UVA Cavaliers in Charlottesville. pic.twitter.com/CWeNU5ShwM
— Tyler Feldman (@TylerFeldmanTV) April 13, 2021
Other schools Gardner was considering were LSU, Arkansas, and fellow ACC teams Miami and NC State.