Miss. State releases 21st ranked SF from team

[bearcat jeff]

D.J. Gardner was dimissed from Mississippi State's basketball team. The 21st ranked SF (ESPN/20th Rivals 4 star and 64th overall) was unhappy that he was being redshirted. With Shaq's situation uncertain UC may want to take a look at him to add depth at the wing. Another shooter never hurts. Especially one of his caliber.

Strengths:
Gardner emerged this summer as one of the finer shooters in the 2011 class. He has the ability to heat it up and go on some unreal scoring runs; when he gets in a zone his range is easily in the 23-25' range. He gets the benefit of an extra step on his defender because his opponent has to play close and react to the shot fake. He is improving at putting the ball on the floor and making plays at the rim or finding an open teammate.

Weaknesses:
Gardner will need to broaden his overall game in order to be more effective at the collegiate level. At the moment he is too one dimensional as a long range shooter, but if he develops the ability to consistently make plays off the dribble he becomes a dangerous weapon. Also needs to be more focused in defensively; at the high major level he could get exposed against quicker athletes.

Bottom Line:
There is always a place on a team for a shooter and Gardner could end up finding his way as a specialist that can stretch a defense and creates driving lanes for his teammates. Many in the SEC & C-USA are intrigued by his game; it will be interesting to see where he ends up

 

[JasonS]

D.J. Gardner was dimissed from Mississippi State's basketball team. The 21st ranked SF (ESPN/20th Rivals 4 star and 64th overall) was unhappy that he was being redshirted. With Shaq's situation uncertain UC may want to take a look at him to add depth at the wing. Another shooter never hurts. Especially one of his caliber.

Strengths:
Gardner emerged this summer as one of the finer shooters in the 2011 class. He has the ability to heat it up and go on some unreal scoring runs; when he gets in a zone his range is easily in the 23-25' range. He gets the benefit of an extra step on his defender because his opponent has to play close and react to the shot fake. He is improving at putting the ball on the floor and making plays at the rim or finding an open teammate.

Weaknesses:
Gardner will need to broaden his overall game in order to be more effective at the collegiate level. At the moment he is too one dimensional as a long range shooter, but if he develops the ability to consistently make plays off the dribble he becomes a dangerous weapon. Also needs to be more focused in defensively; at the high major level he could get exposed against quicker athletes.

Bottom Line:
There is always a place on a team for a shooter and Gardner could end up finding his way as a specialist that can stretch a defense and creates driving lanes for his teammates. Many in the SEC & C-USA are intrigued by his game; it will be interesting to see where he ends up

I don't think Shaq's situation would even matter here. Wouldn't the kid have to sit out a year anyway? If he really wanted to come here, I am sure the coaching staff could figure out a way to make it work.

 

[bearcat jeff]

I believe in this circumstance he'd be able to play if a school were interested. That is if he was dismissed. I've heard conflicting reports regarding his case.

 

[TheLongHaul]

I don't think Shaq's situation would even matter here. Wouldn't the kid have to sit out a year anyway? If he really wanted to come here, I am sure the coaching staff could figure out a way to make it work.

Doesn't matter if he'd have to sit out a year, it still takes up a scholarship.

 

[JasonS]

Doesn't matter if he'd have to sit out a year, it still takes up a scholarship.

I understand that but there are creative ways around the scholarship issue. For example, if Shaq does not qualify this year then they have a scholarship. There is also examples of teams pulling a scholarship from a player for a year and having them use grants and pay their way. Things can be done if the right opportunity presents itself.