At long last, Class of 2023 forward Brandon Gardner has committed to St. John’s University. The speculation that Gardner would wind up at St. John’s proved prophetic on Monday morning, as Gardner released a video announcing his commitment.
St. John’s fervent fan base has been in consistent communication with Gardner these past few months, rolling a red carpet out for the versatile 6-foot-8, 205-pound forward who they have nicknamed “Madison Square Gardener.”
The love has been reciprocated by Gardner, a fiery competitor who plays with unbridled energy and brings a vertically explosive above the rim game.
“Fans get ready! Madison Square Gardener is on the way,” Gardner posted at the event of his video, in which he dons a St. John’s cap and Red Storm gear.
From the time SJU started recruiting him, it appeared St. John’s had the upper hand over LSU, Auburn, Georgetown, Alabama, Ole Miss, and the various other programs in pursuit of Gardner.
The fast paced attack Mike Anderson enforces and the family environment of the program were both appealing to Gardner. There was also a close family relationship between Gardner’s family and assistant coach Von Macon.
AJ Storr, an incoming freshman on this year’s team and Gardner’s close friend, was also a factor that worked in SJU’s favor.
“I love the coaching staff because they’re a family, they treat me like family,” Gardner said following an 18-point performance for Boo Williams during the Nike EYBL Session 1 in Orlando, Fla. back in April.
“AJ Storr, that’s gang right there. That’s my boy.”
Gardner brings high end athleticism and defensive versatility that enables him to protect the rim and also guard nearly every position. He’s improved incrementally with his shooting, showing a feathery touch and deep jumper on the EYBL circuit this spring.
A Waynesboro, Georgia native, Gardner spent the last year at Word of God Academy in North Carolina. He is expected to transfer to a NYC high school for his senior year, though there’s been no indication yet of which program he will land at.
The momentum is certainly rolling for St. John’s based on the recent recruiting success. They’ve landed a former national recruit in Illinois transfer Andre Curbelo, a double double threat in DePaul transfer David Jones, and now Gardner in a matter of months.
St. John’s also appears to be jockeying for front runner position on Christ The King forward Brandon Williams. A top-shelf, 6-foot-9 Class of 2023 recruit with a consistent outside shot and point forward’s skill set, Williams is one of the most highly sought recruits in the country.
