Breaking: USC lands pledge from four-star senior Brandon Gardner
It's been quite the plot twist for Top-50 senior Brandon Gardner.
One year ago, Gardner moved from Word of God High School (NC) to New York City where he would announce that he would be attending Christ The King. In addition, Gardner had his pledge and signed with St. John’s.
Now, where is Gardner at? Months removed from his move to NYC, Gardner accomplished one of the biggest things you can accomplish in the state at the high school level:
He won NY’s Mr. Basketball. Moving along, Mr. NY announced his decommitment and got his release from St. John’s after the hiring of Rick Pitino. There were rumblings regarding a possible re-commitment, but, Gardner continued his recruiting process and now we’re here.
He’s found a new home...
Gardner tells Stockrisers.com that he will be headed to Los Angeles and is taking his talents to the University of Southern California.
“They have the best culture, roster, and game plan to fit the game and the vision that I have for my future. I wanted a fresh start where I can work hard and level up but also learn from a culture of winning. I found that at USC. The coaching staff is great and I feel like I will get developed very well to become the NBA player I want to be,” Gardner told Stockrisers.com.
The Trojans are loaded in 2023. Added one of the nation’s top players in Isaiah Collier, an underrated prospect in Arrinten Page, Top-50 recruit Bronny James, and also added DJ Rodmon through the transfer portal.
I like this pickup for the Trojans adding a dynamic 6-foot-8 W/F that can do whatever is asked of him on the floor. Obviously being an elite-level athlete, Gardner provides much more and it leads to winning, and that showed during his high school career. I think he will fit well in the Trojans’ system and in the Pac-12.
“My game fits well because I defend at a high-level, block shots, rebound, and run the floor very well. I make my shots as well. My bounce and versatility allow me to make up space and time with the best of them and keep multiple plays alive. I play above the rim and I play the right way,” Gardner said on fitting in at USC.