Jayden Gardner

In his third game at East Carolina, on November 11, 2018, Gardner recorded 30 points and 10 rebounds in an 84–78 overtime win over Lamar.[7] He became the third freshman in school history to score at least 30 points in a game.[8] On November 21, Gardner posted 28 points and 17 rebounds in a 76–64 victory over Prairie View A&M. Six days later, he tallied 30 points and 15 rebounds in a 95–86 loss to UNC Wilmington, becoming the first-ever American Athletic Conference (AAC) freshman with multiple 30-point games.[9][10] On January 13, 2019, Gardner posted a career-high 35 points and 20 rebounds in a 76–65 loss to UCF. He became the first East Carolina player since 1966 with a 30-point, 20-rebound game and the first freshman in AAC history to record at least 35 points or 20 rebounds in a game.[11][12] Two days later, he was named USBWA National Freshman of the Week.[13] As a freshman, Gardner averaged 16.3 points and 8.5 rebounds per game, setting school freshman records for rebounds and free throws and AAC freshman records for points per game and free throws. He led all NCAA Division I freshmen in free throws, with 171, and registered 10 double-doubles.[4] He was a five-time AAC Freshman of the Week and was unanimously selected to the AAC All-Rookie Team.[14]

On November 5, 2019, Gardner made his sophomore season debut, tallying 28 points and 11 rebounds in an 80–68 win over VMI.[15] On January 1, 2020, he recorded a season-high 29 points and 10 rebounds in a 75–69 loss to Wichita State.[16] Gardner scored 29 points again and grabbed a season-high 19 rebounds in a 69–59 loss to Houston on January 29.[17] Gardner became the third-fastest East Carolina player to reach 1,000 career points in a February 12 loss to Tulsa.[6] On February 23, he scored 29 points for his third time during the season, while grabbing 13 rebounds in a 67–63 victory over Temple.[18] As a sophomore, he averaged an AAC-leading 19.7 points, 9.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game, posting 13 double-doubles, and was named to the Second Team All-AAC. He averaged the third-most points in school history.[19] As a junior, Gardner averaged 18.3 points and 8.3 rebounds per game, earning First Team All-AAC honors.[20]

On April 12, 2021, Gardner transferred to Virginia for his final two seasons of eligibility, choosing the Cavaliers over offers from Arkansas, LSU, Miami, and NC State, among others.[20] All Division I athletes who played in the 2020–21 season gained an extra year of eligibility.[21] On December 3, he scored 15 points and hit the game-winning putback shot in a 57–56 win against Pittsburgh.[22] Gardner was named to the Third Team All-ACC.[23]

In the Cavaliers’ 2022–23 season opener, Gardner reached the 2,000 career point milestone.[24] On January 8, 2023 he recorded his 1,000th rebound, joining an exclusive list of Division I players who reached both the 2000-point / 1000-rebound milestones.[25]