Wahoos find physical presence with East Carolina transfer Jayden Gardner; Murphy’s decision

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And just like that, the Wahoos have landed a second transfer.

For several days, the message board chatter regarding the prospects of East Carolina power forward Jayden Gardner becoming a Cavalier was positive. He confirmed Virginia fans' hopes with a tweet showing his commitment to UVa at 6 p.m. Monday. His other finalists were N.C. State, Miami, LSU, and Arkansas.
Gardner, a 6-foot-7, 235-pound junior, has two years of eligibility remaining thanks to the NCAA's ruling that last season did not count, but if he produces at a high level at UVa, he will probably just be a one-year rental before trying his hand at pro basketball.

This dude put up some really solid numbers for the Pirates in the American Athletic Conference, the league that produced Final Four participant Houston this past season and Wichita State almost a decade ago. Memphis is also normally solid in that conference, and Cincinnati and Temple have good basketball histories, though the Bearcats and Owls were mediocre this past season. Notably, ECU upset Houston, 82-73, on Feb. 3, and Gardner was the main reason why: 



ECU was the worst team in the league in 2020-21, finishing 8-11 overall and 2-10 in the conference, but Gardner was the Pirates' best player as their only double-figure scorer at 18.3 points per game, and he was a beast on the glass, too, with 8.3 rebounds per game while also adding 1.4 assists per game. He shot 47.8% on 2-pointers and a respectable 73.7% from the free throw line.

As a sophomore, Gardner produced even a little bit more than as a junior: 19.7 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 2.2 apg, and he shot 53.7% on 2-pointers. As a true freshman, Gardner averaged 16.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 1.3 assists, and he shot 50.2% inside the arc.

Gardner is more of a down-low banger. He doesn't have much range, but he did shoot a handful of 3-pointers as a Pirate: 9 for 36 (25%) over his three seasons. Last year, he made 3 triples on only 6 attempts, his fewest in a season. Interestingly, though, in the interview posted below with WITN-TV sports anchor Tyler Feldman, Gardner does mention expanding his range as a reason for coming to Virginia. Perhaps he is seeing -- or Tony Bennett is talking to him about -- the leap Mamadi Diakite took as a 3-point shooter in his final season. Still, I think and hope that Gardner will do most of his work in the paint. UVa sorely missed a physical presence this past season. As you can see in the highlights above, Gardner does have the ability to drive to the hoop, so he has some ballhandling skills despite his reputation as a physical presence (he also does not look 6-7, does he?).
With Sam Hauser and Jay Huff graduating, and Justin McKoy moving on, the need for a big man was obvious, and Gardner fills an immediate need and is highly likely to start next season unless something crazy happens. He would not take a potential starting spot away from Kadin Shedrick or Francisco Caffaro. Both of those guys are taller and are more in the mold of true centers. Also, as I touched on above, neither Hauser nor Huff were bangers, and McKoy, while he had his moments, clearly did not produce on the level that Gardner has. This is a big addition for the 'Hoos.

As far as a comparison for Gardner to a former UVa player, I mentioned how perhaps he wants to develop a 3-point jumper like Diakite did, but Mamadi is probably not the best comparison for Gardner, who appears more physically rugged, though Diakite could score down low, of course, and was a menace blocking and altering shots. It's just that Diakite did not always seem like he was seeking contact, whereas Gardner may thrive on it. That is great, because UVa has been woeful for years at drawing contact and getting to the free throw line. Gardner was one of the best in the AAC at doing that.

Some names being tossed around as comparisons to Gardner are Anthony Gill, Travis Watson, and Mike Scott, though I would have to say that the first two were more physical-type players than Scott. Gardner does have the ability to hit jumpers in the midrange like Scott, but it seems like he wants be around the basket more. 

Virginia has to be feeling better about next season than it did just a few days ago. It really looks like UVa has upgraded the roster despite the transfers of Casey Morsell, Jabri Abdur-Rahim, and McKoy. In Armaan Frankin and Gardner, UVa has picked up proven commodities, guys that should be able to take big roles on the 2021-22 edition of the Wahoos. 

Murphy declares for NBA draft, will not hire agent

While Virginia could continue to shop around for transfers or high school seniors to add for next season, Bennett also might be trying to re-recruit Trey Murphy back into the fold as well.

That’s because Murphy announced he was declaring for this year’s NBA draft on social media around midday Tuesday. However, he said he would not hire an agent and maintain his college eligibility. The draft is being held July 29, and early entrants such as Murphy have until July 19 to decide to withdraw and return to school. That means we could be waiting a while for Murphy's ultimate decision.
Murphy's breakout season at the ACC level (11.3 ppg, 43.3% on 3-pointers) drew the attention of NBA scouts, and he has shown up as a second-round draft selection in a number of mock drafts. 

While I think Murphy needs to work on his game for one more year at the collegiate level, the NBA loves his potential and his length. Murphy is still growing and adding muscle to his 6-9, 206-pound frame. I think he could show better ballhandling ability, more of a midrange game, and the ability to drive to the hoop in traffic and create his own shot. I understand that while he could improve his skills at Virginia in his senior season, he'd be able to do that on a full-time basis in the NBA or in its development league, the G-League, as well.

Murphy faces a tough decision. He can go on to make some money right away, no doubt, but Virginia also has a great track record of developing players late in their careers -- players that have gone on to make splashes as pros, such as Scott, Diakite, Malcolm Brogdon, and Devon Hall. But on the other hand, the Big Three of De'Andre Hunter, Ty Jerome, and Kyle Guy all left after their junior seasons, and those decisions seemed to have mostly paid off.

Of course, Hunter had an easy choice because he was going to be a top-10 pick, and he ended up being chosen fourth. Jerome was selected late in the first round, so again, a good choice. Guy was drafted, but not until late in the second round. Had UVa not won the national championship, one would have to wonder if Guy would have returned. Still, you can't blame him for leaving early with the way he was able to cap his junior season.

If Murphy was slotted as a likely first-round pick like Hunter, the choice would be simple -- he should leave. And if he was projected not to be drafted, like Diakite was, he would likely lean toward returning to school, as Diakite did after he declared for the draft early. But Murphy is projected somewhere in the middle, firmly in the middle of the second round. He could have a great final season in Charlottesville and elevate his stock into the first round. Or he could level off or get hurt and possibly fall (I think this is less likely, though) in the 2022 draft. Whatever his decision, he has my support. I hope UVa can keep him around, but sending another player to the NBA can only improve the Wahoos' stock with future recruits (and transfers, since Murphy came over from Rice). They'd be able to see that not only is Bennett putting guys in the NBA, he's also able to get them on the pro league's radar in one season.

Photo credits: Associated Press; Johnnie Izquierdo/Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

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