2023 KJ Gardner uses April to establish his recruitment
The high school basketball recruiting world remains in a state of flux as things like NIL, the transfer portal and the emphasis on investing in older players rather than high school prospects continue to shift the focus of college staffs. This isn’t the case for all high school prospects of course, but it leaves the ones who project to the low major level simply because those schools would rather get mid-to-high major transfers in order to maximize their chances of winning their conference and potentially getting a job at a school at one of the higher levels.
2023 Global Squad guard KJ Gardner KJ Gardner 6'2" | SG Springdale Prep | 2023 State MD fits the mold of being one of these low major prospects, but took full advantage of the April live periods to prove to college programs that he belongs on their radar. He credits the move he made for this past high school season as getting him prepared for the AAU stage.
“I transferred to Springdale Prep and I feel like making the move to a private school helped me grow my game tremendously,” Gardner told Prep Hoops. “We grew as a team and was able to build relationships on and off the floor. Our team wasn’t very big, so the guards were expected to rebound, which helped me get better at that. My role was to be a two guard. Score the ball, play defense and really just be expected to be a leader.”
Now playing with Global Squad, Gardner shares the backcourt with other talented guards and has to take on more of a point guard role in stints.
“I still focus on my main things like scoring, rebounding and playing defense, but we have big men here that makes it easier. I’m really focusing on my right hand, my floater and my pull-up. Also, just becoming more of a point guard. Learning what reads to me and stuff since at the college level I’ll be playing more of the one.”
Loyola (MD) has been reaching out to Gardner on a consistent basis.
“They really like how I get after it on defense. I pick up 94 feet and bring intensity. They also like how I can score the ball in different ways and how I rebound as a guard.”
Garnder also is gaining interest from the Ivy League. He’ll take an unofficial visit to Columbia on May 10.
At 6-foot-1, Gardner is a southpaw lead guard who can score in bunches. He’s an explosive athlete who can rise up off one foot and flush it if rotating defenders are a smidge late. His mid-range game is dependable even when operating off the bounce and his shifty ball-handling skills allows him to create space in order to get into his shot with pace. Gardner takes pride in his effort defensively both on and off the ball. He’s a more than willing rebounder from his position, which is always a skill that translates well to the next level.
🔥‼️2023 Khalik Gardner turning heads at Pitt Jam Fest #HGJamFest pic.twitter.com/egT1yEgSqt
— Hoop Group (@TheHoopGroup) April 23, 2022