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GREENSBORO, N.C. — It was for moments like these that Jayden Gardner decided to transfer to Virginia two years ago. The 6-foot-6, 233-pound forward has been a force this week in the ACC Tournament at the Greensboro Coliseum, helping the 13th-ranked Cavaliers reach the doorstep of their fourth tournament championship and third under head coach Tony Bennett.
Gardner grew up a little more than an hour from here in Wake Forest, North Carolina, and he started his career at nearby East Carolina. But after three seasons, he made a change and joined perennial championship contender UVA.
“He had scored a lot of points [at ECU] and had a pretty accomplished career for sure, but he wanted to play in this league and have a chance to win a conference championship and get in the NCAA Tournament,” Bennett said. “He puts in his work, and he’s got such a huge heart, and he tries hard, and I love it. He’s just a trier and he’s gifted, and he’s a great teammate.”
Gardner scored 23 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in Virginia’s 76-56 win over Clemson in the tournament semifinals Friday night. That performance came on the heels of his 17-point, 10-rebound outing in the quarterfinals against North Carolina. He now has five double-doubles on the season and 41 for his career.
UVA (25-6) won a share of the ACC’s regular-season title and looks to add the tournament championship when it faces No. 21 Duke (25-8) in the title game Saturday night.
The Cavaliers shot 50 percent and outscored the Tigers 40-22 in the paint. Gardner, a master of the mid-range jumper, connected on a few of his patented shots, but most of his buckets came right at the rim.
When asked what contributed to the team’s offensive success, Gardner said, “I think just our mentality to be aggressive and be assertive. Clemson is a very physical team, and [we] were coached to try to meet their physicality, and I think we did that.”
Gardner has been on a tear during UVA’s current four-game win streak, averaging 17 points and 8.8 rebounds per game. He has been a major reason for the team’s resurgence on offense after it struggled through a rough stretch in February.
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After consecutive road losses to Boston College and North Carolina, during which the Cavaliers shot 36.2 percent, UVA has made 49.2 percent of its shots in wins over Clemson (twice), Louisville and North Carolina.
Gardner, a fifth-year senior who took advantage of the extra year of eligibility because of the pandemic, is averaging 11.9 points and 5.6 rebounds per game this season. He’s the ACC’s active leader in career points with 2,357.
The All-ACC honorable mention selection grew up following ACC basketball, and after Friday’s night’s victory he and the Cavaliers were one win away from winning the tournament championship near his backyard.
“It’s just a special time,” Gardner said. “I’m happy I could be a part of it.”
Online
For a story on Saturday night’s ACC championship game between No. 13 Virginia and No. 21 Duke, visit PilotOnline.com or dailypress.com and look in Monday’s editions.