Jayden Gardner (201-F-2000, college: Virginia, agency: MSG) is a 25 year old 201cm forward that played his second professional season and first in Germany with easyCredit BBL team Rasta Vechta averaging 10,3ppg and 7,2rpg and in the BCL averaged 13,8ppg and 7.3rpg. He palyed his rookie season with House of Talents Kortrijk Spurs (Belgium-Pro Basketball League) averaging 15.3ppg, 6.0rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 56.6%, 3PT: 33.7%, FT: 64.4% in the BNXT league. He began his basketball career with Heritage high school and then played at East Carolina University (NCAA) from 2018-2021 averaging 19.7ppg, 9.2rpg, 2.2apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 53.7%, 3PT: 20.0%, FT: 73.4% and 18.3ppg, 8.3rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 47.8%, 3PT: 50.0%, FT: 73.7% in his last 2 seasons. He then played 2 more seasons with the The University of Virginia (NCAA) averaging 15.3ppg, 6.4rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 51.1%, 3PT: 21.4%, FT: 79.3% and 11.9ppg, 5.9rpg, FGP: 51.2%, FT: 68.5%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Jayden for talking to germanmhoops.com. Your played your first season with German team RastaVechta. What have you enjoyed most about the experience?

I have really enjoyed the competition level of the league with chances to play euroleague, euro cup, champion league level teams all year.

It was a whirlwind of a season for Rasta Vechta. It began bad, then the team rebounded well for months, but then had a 6 game losing streak before the win in Frankfurt, but still with every chance to reach the playoffs. Why did the team have problems scoring points in this span?

Slumps is a part of basketball and unfortunately we happened to go through one during those six weeks all you can do is keep working and keep shooting.

One thing teams don´t do often in the easyCredit BBL is sweep top team FC Bayern Munich. Does that rate as your season highlight?

Yes, beating a euroleague team twice will always take the cake for sure.

Which win did you enjoy most? The one point win or the easier win by 79-65. You impressed in both games scoring 18 and 19 points?

I like the one @ Munich because nobody believed in us and it was a game winner.

What was it like being teammates with Isaiah Cozart? You guys battle each other every day in practice. What have you appreciated most about his game?

He is a very fun competitive guy in his rookie year I love getting to work with him and I love his athleticism it makes him a problem on the offensive and defensive end.

What was it like being teammates with German big man Johan Grunloh? He will most likely be drafted by an NBA team once he finishes in the NCAA with Virginia. Will he be NBA ready?

Yes I believe he will one day be there because he puts the work in everyday when no one is watching. He is special player.

Let´s talk about your game? If you had to compare your game to a NBA player who would best fit the description?

I think I have more of an old player style like Paul Pierce who likes to operate on the block but can score in a lot of different ways as well.

You’re a player that scores very well and rebounds very well as well. What is your biggest strength on the court?

My biggest strength is my motor that’s how I can rebound and score so well I like to call me relentless.

In 5 years in the NCAA, you took only 53 three´s and 191 three´s in your first 2 pro seasons. Did you concentrate on your three during the summer of 2023? Last season you shot 33% and this season 32% How content have you been with the development of your three pointer?

Just locking in on the work at end I know I can shoot the ball so it was all just about getting comfortable and I’ve done that I plan to keep improving every year.

How would you describe the development of your defense? What kind of a defender are you now and what kind of defender do you still want to become?

I think of myself as a very good one on one defender who can guard 1v5. The next step for me is to continue to help with talking to help team defense.

On what areas of your game are you working on most so you can continue to improve your game?

Playmaking, Ball handling, Shooting

What has been the biggest challenge playing in the easyCredit BBL in comparison to the BNXT league last season?

Competition level but that’s what excites me.

You have been very consistent this season. You have been consistent your whole career. What is your secret to really always being an effective player?

Routine Routine Routine I live and preach this and stay with it.

Last season you played with the House of Talents Kortrijk Spurs (Belgium-Pro Basketball League) averaging 15.3ppg, 6.0rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 56.6%, 3PT: 33.7%, FT: 64.4%. What do you remember being your wake up call to being overseas where you knew that you were far away from home?

The wake up call was all the travels I got last year haha. Now I understand how to move so I haven’t gotten many this year.

You began your NCAA career in 2018 at East Carolina University (NCAA). You had 3 very strong seasons there under Joe Dooley. How vital was he for your early basketball development? How did he help shape your game?

He gave me the opportunity of a lifetime to showcase what I could do from day one as a freshman. I will always thank him for that. Coach George Wright and Ken Potosnak were major parts in my development to take a major jump.

You had so many great games at East Carolina, but was your 35/20 game against UCF your greatest game? What memories do you have of that monumental game?

Yea UCF vs Taco Fall takes the cake every time it’s one of my favorite rewatches because he is a whole foot taller than me.

You then played 2 seasons at Virginia. You reached the NIT Sweet 16 with exciting wins over MSU and North Texas by 3 and 2 points, but then lost a heart breaker 52-51 against St Bonaventure. How do you remember that run?

Yea sucks we didn’t make the tournament but it was my first post season basketball in college so I tried to make the most of it.

How did head coach Tony Bennett groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Coach helped me see the game through different lengths. He challenged me constantly like he told me he would but I always responded. Learning the defense made me a complete player.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Ryan Dunn?

I would cook RD just like practice haha.

Who is the toughest player that you faced in the NCAA that reached the NBA?

Paolo Banchero

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Kihei Clark, Reece Beekman, Kadin Shedrick, Dre Perry, Izaiah Cozart

Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Kobe, Bron, Jordan, Steph

Who is your GOAT?

Bron

Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America?

I did and I will be watching it on my flight back home soon haha.

Thanks Jayden for the chat.