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NCAA Basketball Recruiting: Analyzing final 6 teams for four-star C Jazz Gardner

By Tristan Freeman

Mar 20, 2022; San Diego, CA, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders head coach Mark Adams reacts in the first half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the second round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2022; San Diego, CA, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders head coach Mark Adams reacts in the first half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the second round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Saint Mary’s Gaels head coach Randy Bennett Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
Saint Mary’s Gaels head coach Randy Bennett Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports /

Pepperdine Waves

One of the two “local” options on the list, Pepperdine is located in Malibu, which next to Miami Beach, might be the ultimate location to play in college. Gardner can stay close to home and potentially play with the exciting backcourt duo of Houston Mallette and Maxwell Lewis. Plus, he can put up some big numbers in the WCC.

The obvious downside is that this program hasn’t seen the NCAA Tournament since 2002 and is coming off a 7-win season. In a conference that doesn’t get many bids outside of Gonzaga, Saint Mary’s, and BYU, it’ll be a daunting task for Gardner to see the postseason at Pepperdine.

Saint Mary’s Gaels

Another WCC option, the Gaels have been a much more consistent NCAA Tournament team and with Matthias Tass gone, needs to rebuild the frontcourt. Gardner can come in and have an impact early and likely start and even the team already has a 2023 center commit in 7’0 Andrew McKeever, this prospect would be an upgrade.

The one “downside” with Saint Mary’s is its notoriously slow-paced offense. It’s not the place if you want to run up and down but based on the options, Gardner seems comfortable with that. Playing for head coach Randy Bennett is great for development as well and again, he can be a force in the WCC.

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