Former four-star men’s basketball recruit Brandon Gardner, who played his first year at USC in 2023-24, declared his decision to join Arizona State on Thursday.
blessings 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/MpspNqesSh
— Brandon Gardner (@bgardner2023) May 10, 2024
Gardner, a 6-foot-8, 215-pound forward from Waynesboro, Georgia, played high school basketball at Christ the King High School in New York City. He earned the title of Mr. Basketball as a senior, averaging 12 points, 10 rebounds, and two blocks per game.
Originally, Gardner committed to St. John’s but later changed his mind and opted to head west. Despite signing a letter of intent with USC, he only played in one game for the Trojans, scoring two points in four minutes, before a foot injury sidelined him for the rest of the season, resulting in a medical redshirt.
Considered a three-star transfer by 247Sports, Gardner made headlines by dunking over then-USC quarterback and future No. 1 NFL Draft pick Caleb Williams in a dunk contest.
Brandon Gardner dunked over Caleb Williams at Trojan HoopLA‼️🤯 pic.twitter.com/gwHs7TGWXI
— USC Men's Basketball (@USC_Hoops) October 20, 2023
Gardner becomes the fifth incoming transfer for ASU, as Bobby Hurley’s program aims to bounce back from a 14-18 season.
Joining the Sun Devils are guards Austin Nunez and Alston Mason, forward BJ Freeman, and center Basheed Jihad from the transfer portal. Departing ASU via the portal are Frankie Collins and Jamiya Neal.
In addition to transfers, ASU secured a commitment from incoming freshman Jayden Quaintance, ranked as the No. 2 center prospect in the 2024 recruiting class.
