Photo by: SMC Athletics / Piper Westrom
MBB | Gaels Add First Transfer to Incoming 2025-26 Class, Ink Pacific Transfer Jazz Gardner
5/5/2025 2:30:00 PM | Men's Basketball
MORAGA, Calif. — For the first time this off-season, Saint Mary's has gone to the transfer portal to add to their 2025-26 roster, signing 7-0 big man Jazz Gardner out of Pacific. Gardner served as the primary center for Pacific a year ago, and now adds even more height to a Gaels frontline that features a pair of 7-1 bigs in the forms of Harry Wessels and Andrew McKeever.
"We initially recruited Jazz out of high school and have known him for a while, so when we saw him enter the portal, we took the opportunity to reconnect." stated Head Coach Randy Bennett, "We were looking to add front line players for the future and we think Jazz fits that bill with good size."
After spending time at both Los Altos High School and West Ranch High School in Southern California, leading both squads to the CIF State Playoffs, Gardner earned four star status from both ESPN and 247 Sports. After receiving over 20 Division I offers, Gardner chose to begin his collegiate career in Reno for Coach Steve Alford and the Nevada Wolf Pack. In his collegiate debut, Gardner went for seven points and eight boards against Sacramento State, and would follow that up with the best two game stretch of his freshman campaign a week later, going for eight points and seven rebounds on 4-6 shooting against Pacific, followed by a 13 point outpouring on 6-7 shooting against Portland.
After appearing in 20 games for UNR, while shooting 45% from the field, Gardner transferred to Pacific, where he served as the every game center for the Tigers, under first year head coach Dave Smart. Seeing time in every game for Pacific, and starting 27 of those 33, Gardner again demonstrated strong touch around the rim, this year shooting 60% from the field. He ripped down a career-best 11 rebounds, including five o-boards against Cal State Fullerton, scored a career-high 15 on the road at Illinois State on 6-9 shooting, and a week later, scored 12 at UNLV on a 6-8 field goal clip. His biggest moment, however, came against Washington State, when he went a perfect 7-7 from the field, including the game winning layup with five seconds remaining to secure the Tigers the season sweep of the Cougars.
Gardner is the third Gael newcomer to sign on for the 2025-26 season, joining the likes of freshmen Dillan Shaw and Trent MacLean.
#GaelsRise
"We initially recruited Jazz out of high school and have known him for a while, so when we saw him enter the portal, we took the opportunity to reconnect." stated Head Coach Randy Bennett, "We were looking to add front line players for the future and we think Jazz fits that bill with good size."
After spending time at both Los Altos High School and West Ranch High School in Southern California, leading both squads to the CIF State Playoffs, Gardner earned four star status from both ESPN and 247 Sports. After receiving over 20 Division I offers, Gardner chose to begin his collegiate career in Reno for Coach Steve Alford and the Nevada Wolf Pack. In his collegiate debut, Gardner went for seven points and eight boards against Sacramento State, and would follow that up with the best two game stretch of his freshman campaign a week later, going for eight points and seven rebounds on 4-6 shooting against Pacific, followed by a 13 point outpouring on 6-7 shooting against Portland.
After appearing in 20 games for UNR, while shooting 45% from the field, Gardner transferred to Pacific, where he served as the every game center for the Tigers, under first year head coach Dave Smart. Seeing time in every game for Pacific, and starting 27 of those 33, Gardner again demonstrated strong touch around the rim, this year shooting 60% from the field. He ripped down a career-best 11 rebounds, including five o-boards against Cal State Fullerton, scored a career-high 15 on the road at Illinois State on 6-9 shooting, and a week later, scored 12 at UNLV on a 6-8 field goal clip. His biggest moment, however, came against Washington State, when he went a perfect 7-7 from the field, including the game winning layup with five seconds remaining to secure the Tigers the season sweep of the Cougars.
Gardner is the third Gael newcomer to sign on for the 2025-26 season, joining the likes of freshmen Dillan Shaw and Trent MacLean.
#GaelsRise
Players Mentioned
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