Wednesday Where Are They Now?: Jason Gardner, Arizona

Ever wonder what happened to those college stars that couldn't catch on in the NBA? The guys that put up the great numbers or the guys that left early, and were never heard from again? Every Wednesday, we at BIAH will take a look at a former college star that never made it in the NBA, and we will update you on where he is playing or what he is doing. We're guessing the results will surprise you. To request a player, hit us up on twitter @ballinisahabit or via email at contactbiah@gmail.com.

Jason Gardner, Arizona

Its hard to envision a high school senior having a more successful season that Jason Gardner did in 1999. Coming out of North Central High in Indianapolis, he led his team to the 1999 Class 4A state title. He was named player of the year in Indianapolis and Mr. Basketball in the state of Indiana. He earned a spot on the both the McDonald's and Parade all-american teams. And he earned himself a scholarship from the Arizona Wildcats, also known as Point Guard U.


Gardner had big shoes to fill when he landed in Tucson -- Mike Bibby, the second pick in the 1998 draft, and Jason Terry, the tenth pick in the 1999 draft, were the two point guards that preceded Gardner -- and he did an impressive job as a freshman, starting all but one game and leading the team in minutes played. It was enough to get Gardner recognized as the national freshman of the year. That becomes more impressive when you consider that Arizona team had five other NBA players or draft picks on it. Unfortunately, that team lost as a No. 1 seed in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

As a sophomore, Gardner once again led the Wildcats in minutes played, leading a loaded Arizona team on a run through the NCAA Tournament. He scored 18 in a win over Illinois to send the Wildcats to the Final Four, and then put 21 on Michigan State as the Wildcats advanced to Lute Olson's second national title game. Arizona would go on to lose to Duke in the final, but not before the entire starting line-up, including Gardner, tried to capitalize on their tournament success. Five Wildcats declared for the NBA Draft, and four -- Gilbert Arenas, Loren Woods, Richard Jefferson, and Michael Wright -- stayed in the draft and were selected.

Gardner was the only one that returned to school, and as a junior he would have his best season statistically. Gardner would averaged 20.4 ppg -- in 38.6 mpg -- as he led a young, but talented, Arizona team to the Sweet 16. That young, but talented, Arizona team of 2002 turned into the loaded Arizona team of 2003. The Wildcats were so talented that Will Bynum -- current NBA point guard Will Bynum -- couldn't get minutes. For most of the 2003 season, Arizona was considered, along with Kentucky, to be the hands down favorite to win the national title.

The Wildcats were upset in the Elite 8, ending the career of one of the best point guards Arizona has had. Gardner was a three-time first team all-Pac 10 performer, and twice was named an all-american -- third team as a junior, and second team as a senior.

Despite his success as a collegian, Gardner was not selected in the 2003 NBA Draft. He did, however, find some success playing overseas. Gardner bounced around his first couple of seasons as a professional. He began his career in Slovenia, but spent less than half a season there before moving to BC Telindus Oosende in Belgium's first division. Gardner averaged 14.4 ppg in his two years in Belgium before he moved onto Maccabi Ironi Ramat Gan in Israel. After one year in Israel, Gardner made the move to Germany, where he has been playing in the BBL, Germany's highest club level.

Gardner played one season with Telekom Baskets Bonn before signing with EWE Baskets Oldenburg, where Gardner has really flourished. In 2007-2008, Gardner averaged 13 ppg and 4.3 apg for EWE. The following season, Gardner was named MVP as EWE won the BBL despite finishing tied for second in the regular season. He posted a BBL career high of 13.6 ppg to go along with 3.7 apg in his MVP season.

This past season, Gardner missed two months early in the year, but managed to play in 29 games during the season. His numbers were down -- 8.6 ppg and 2.6 apg -- but much of that had to do with the talent on the EWE roster. Missouri's Rickey Paulding, Ohio State's Je'Kel Foster, Portland's Robin Smeulders, Bucknell's Chris McNaughton, Texas A&M's Josh Carter, and Georgetown's Ruben Boumtje-Boumtje all played with EWE in 2009-2010.