Following a freshman year with very little action on the court, sophomore guard Michael Gardner is shining in his second season at Homewood.
After averaging just 8.7 minutes per game last year, Gardner is now playing 25.6 minutes per game with 13 starts. He has increased his scoring production by over six times, averaging 9.5 points per game compared with just 1.5 a season ago. Perhaps most impressively, Gardner is sporting a .470 three-point percentage, which is second best on the team for anyone with over 20 attempts.
Gardner has been a key contributor on a team that is currently tied for the Centennial Conference lead with a 9-3 record in Conference play and 13-6 overall. This past week, Gardner turned in a standout performance during a 66-51 win against the McDaniel Green Terror. He led the team with 16 points and six rebounds, both team highs.
Against the Ursinus Bears, Gardner scored a game winning three-pointer in the closing seconds of the game, capping off a comeback win.
For these efforts, The News-Letter has decided to recognize Gardner as the Athlete of the Week. He was kind enough to answer some of our questions.
The News-Letter: How have you improved as a player over the past year?
Michael Gardner: Last year was definitely tough for me minutes-wise. Rarely have I been on teams where I was not even in the running for a starting job.
I learned a lot playing behind guys like Gene [Williams] and Austin [Vasiliadis]. When Austin went down last year, I was kind of thrown into the fire, backing up Jesse [Flannery] for part of the year.
It really took a year to adjust to the pace of the college game as opposed to what I experienced in high school. Also, I have to give a lot of credit to Coach Breslin, who would (and still does) stay after practice with me most days, rebounding for me and putting me through tough workouts to keep my skills sharp.
All of that contributed to me becoming a more confident player, and I think that has become more evident on the court this year.
N-L: What do you think has been behind your success from beyond the three-point line this season?
MG: Repetition has been the key to my success. I struggled from three last year, and I made it my goal this summer to really improve my three point shot, because I knew that skill would keep me on the court.
All summer and most days after practice, I take as many game-like threes as I can. Whether it is spot up threes, threes off the dribble or threes off of screens, I have tirelessly practiced being in every type of position.
The morning of game days, a few teammates and I have a routine of getting shots up. Seeing the ball go through the hoop at the beginning of the day always gives me confidence for the game, and half the battle of being a good three point shooter is having confidence in yourself.
N-L: What goes on inside your head when it is time to make a key shot like the game winner against Ursinus? How do you keep the nerves down?
MG: I have truly dreamed of that type of moment since I was six years old. I have always had a plastic hoop in my room that hangs on my door.
When I was younger, I would always pretend there was 10 seconds left on the clock with the ball in my hands. I would make a move, take a shot and the pretend crowd would go wild.
When I got the ball during the Ursinus game with 10 seconds left, I really had no doubts. Honestly, I did not really have time to think of the moment. I have played against number 30 on Ursinus, who is a fantastic player himself, a few times and I knew he would bite on my crossover.
In the timeout before that possession, I told Austin [Vasiliadis] that I could take the guy and make the shot if push came to shove.
When Sam [Gordon] heroically grabbed that offensive board and gave me the ball, I knew exactly what I was going to do. I waved off a couple of screens and I just had my moment.
N-L: Who are some of the key influences in your basketball career so far?
MG: My dad played college ball at Haverford and he was the biggest basketball fan. All through his life, he played in every corporate league he could find in New York City.
When he passed away on September 11, my mom, who also knows the game pretty well, was the one who passed on his legacy to me. She taught me the basic fundamentals and basketball principles such as the “give and go.”
My stepfather, who I call “D,” would also play with me. He taught me the importance of being able to go both ways, and that is when I truly grew passionate about the game.
Through the years, there have been a number of coaches and mentors who have refined my game and made me a better and smarter player. Giving them all shout-outs would take forever, but they know who they are.
