The 2010 class
still has a few available big men and one of the largest players is 6-foot-8,
290 center Davante Gardner who plays for Kings Fork High School in Suffolk. Gardner says
Marquette has been recruiting him the most of the top D1 schools. He also lists
VCU and UNC-Greensboro as having shown a lot of interest.
In one of the biggest games of the
season, and playing before a member of the Marquette coaching staff, Gardner
posted a dominating 35 point and 14 rebound effort in a win over
Nansemond-Suffolk Academy. Gardner said he doesn't plan on taking any visits
until after the high school season is over since he still has a few things to
polish up on. "I need to work on foot control to guard
the outside," Gardner said. "I could play a 3 or 4 in college and I need to be
able to defend on the outside."
Very skilled for someone of his size,
Gardner won a state championship in 2009 while anchoring the middle of the
paint for the Bulldogs. He averaged 16 points and 8.2 rebounds. Davante is
unique because he has a smooth jump shot and he has a mid-range game--something
you don't see from 300-pound centers. He has good low post moves and uses
his girth to get position inside where he can finish with a baby hook or a soft
layup off the backboard. In addition to improving his physical game on the
floor, Gardner says he is working on his
communication.
"I'm trying to be more vocal," the
normally reserved Gardner said. "Last year we had two senior leaders (Jamar
Wertz and Jaquon Parker) but now that I am a senior my coach and teammates are
counting on me to be the guy."
Any concern that his weight would limit his vertical game
was disproven over the summer during an AAU tournament game in Pittsburgh when
he brought down a backboard on a fast break dunk. Petersburg Elite coach Clint
Wright said Gardner's throw down sent a buzz around the gym and he has seen
Gardner's game improve since arriving at Kings Fork.
"He can do it all," Wright told
Virginiapreps.Com before the season started. "He's lost weight and he looks
nimble. He's down to about 285-290. I think you are going to see his game get
better and better."
This post was edited on 2/7 11:01 PM by wgarlick
still has a few available big men and one of the largest players is 6-foot-8,
290 center Davante Gardner who plays for Kings Fork High School in Suffolk. Gardner says
Marquette has been recruiting him the most of the top D1 schools. He also lists
VCU and UNC-Greensboro as having shown a lot of interest.
In one of the biggest games of the
season, and playing before a member of the Marquette coaching staff, Gardner
posted a dominating 35 point and 14 rebound effort in a win over
Nansemond-Suffolk Academy. Gardner said he doesn't plan on taking any visits
until after the high school season is over since he still has a few things to
polish up on. "I need to work on foot control to guard
the outside," Gardner said. "I could play a 3 or 4 in college and I need to be
able to defend on the outside."
Very skilled for someone of his size,
Gardner won a state championship in 2009 while anchoring the middle of the
paint for the Bulldogs. He averaged 16 points and 8.2 rebounds. Davante is
unique because he has a smooth jump shot and he has a mid-range game--something
you don't see from 300-pound centers. He has good low post moves and uses
his girth to get position inside where he can finish with a baby hook or a soft
layup off the backboard. In addition to improving his physical game on the
floor, Gardner says he is working on his
communication.
"I'm trying to be more vocal," the
normally reserved Gardner said. "Last year we had two senior leaders (Jamar
Wertz and Jaquon Parker) but now that I am a senior my coach and teammates are
counting on me to be the guy."
Any concern that his weight would limit his vertical game
was disproven over the summer during an AAU tournament game in Pittsburgh when
he brought down a backboard on a fast break dunk. Petersburg Elite coach Clint
Wright said Gardner's throw down sent a buzz around the gym and he has seen
Gardner's game improve since arriving at Kings Fork.
"He can do it all," Wright told
Virginiapreps.Com before the season started. "He's lost weight and he looks
nimble. He's down to about 285-290. I think you are going to see his game get
better and better."
This post was edited on 2/7 11:01 PM by wgarlick
