EJ Rowland
February 2, 2021
Jelani Gardner
- Nationality: USA/FRA
- Date of Birth: 26/12/75
- Place of Birth: West Covina, California (USA)
- Position: G/F
- Height (CM): 198
- Weight (KG): 93
- Junior Assoc:
- College: California (1994–1996) / Pepperdine (1997–1999)
- NBL DEBUT: 22/09/06
- AGE AT DEBUT: 30
- LAST NBL GAME: 11/11/06
- AGE AT LAST GAME: 30
- NBL History: Townsville 2007
- Championships: 0
- None
BIO: Jelani Gardner was born in West Covina, California (USA), where he attened St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower, California.
Gardner suffered from a kidney disease that threatened to cut short his promising career, until his mother donated one of hers after discovering they were a perfect match in 2002.
NBL EXPERIENCE
Jelani Gardner made his NBL debut with the Townsville Crocodiles at 30 years of age. He scored 10 points in his first game.
Veteran American guard Jelani Gardner joined the Townsville Crocodiles for the 2006/07 NBL season, brought in to replace outgoing import Casey Calvary. Gardner arrived in Townsville with strong credentials, having averaged nearly 20 points per game in France the previous season and boasting professional experience across Israel, Russia, and the CBA in the United States. He was known for his high basketball IQ, playmaking ability, and resilience—having continued a lengthy career following a kidney transplant in 2002.
Gardner played 14 games for the Crocodiles, averaging (15.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.1 blocks), and operated as a steady offensive contributor in the backcourt alongside Brad Newley. While Gardner’s playmaking and leadership were evident, the team sought a more dynamic presence at the point guard position mid-season. He was subsequently released and replaced by EJ Rowland, whose up-tempo style and defensive energy gave the roster a different look heading into the playoffs.
Though Gardner’s stint with Townsville was brief, he remained a respected figure in the locker room and brought veteran perspective to a team transitioning around Newley’s emergence as a star. Off the court, Gardner described his time in Australia as one of the most enjoyable of his professional life, praising the lifestyle in Townsville and the quality of basketball. His post-basketball journey included coaching youth and high school teams, running his own basketball business (JAG Basketball), and advocating for health awareness as he prepared for a second kidney transplant—donated by his wife in a cross-match procedure.
Jelani Gardner played one season in the NBL. He averaged 15.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 4.7 assists in 14 NBL games.
NBL TOTAL STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006-07 | 31 | Townsville | 19-14 (5) | 14 | 444 | 212 | 54 | 66 | 3 | 51 | 13 | 2 | 48 | 50 | 68 | 143 | 48% | 25 | 56 | 45% | 51 | 64 | 80% | 61% | 56% | 25 | Totals | 14 | 444 | 212 | 54 | 66 | 3 | 51 | 13 | 2 | 48 | 50 | 68 | 143 | 47.6% | 25 | 56 | 44.6% | 51 | 64 | 79.7% | 62% | 56% | 25 |
NBL PER GAME STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006-07 | 31 | Townsville | 19-14 (5) | 14 | 31.7 | 15.1 | 3.9 | 4.7 | 0.2 | 3.6 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 3.4 | 3.6 | 4.9 | 10.2 | 48% | 1.8 | 4.0 | 45% | 3.6 | 4.6 | 80% | 61% | 56% | 25 | Total | 14 | 31.7 | 15.1 | 3.9 | 4.7 | 0.2 | 3.6 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 3.4 | 3.6 | 4.9 | 10.2 | 47.6% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 44.6% | 1.8 | 4.0 | 79.7% | 62% | 56% | 25 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 25 | 7 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 0 |
|---|
NBA EXPERIENCE
Jelani Gardner’s NBA journey was dramatically altered in 1995 when a routine pre-draft blood test revealed he had kidney disease, a diagnosis that significantly hurt his draft stock. Despite a standout collegiate career at Pepperdine and strong pre-draft workouts, teams passed on Gardner, and he went undrafted. The discovery not only dashed immediate NBA hopes but forced him to reconsider the direction of his professional future.
Gardner made his professional debut in 1999 with the Fort Wayne Fury in the CBA, quickly proving himself as a capable and reliable backcourt contributor. He also played for the Grand Rapids Hoops during the 1999–2000 season, using the CBA platform to establish his professional credentials and keep himself on the radar of NBA scouts.
In 2000, Gardner joined the Roanoke Dazzle for the inaugural season of the NBDL (now the NBA G League). Competing in the league designed to prepare players for the NBA, Gardner showcased his well-rounded game and high basketball IQ against the top developmental talent in the country.
Though he never officially made an NBA roster, Gardners U.S. professional run was foundational. It provided the exposure, structure, and competition that prepared him for a 13-year international career across Europe, the Middle East, and Australia.
Gardner played games in the NBA. He averaged 0 points, 0 rebounds, and 0 assists per game over his NBA career.
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Israel – Maccabi Rishon (1999) | Germany – BCJ Hamburg (2000) | France – Roche-St Etienne (2002–2003), Reims (2003), Etendard Brest (2003–2004), ESPE Basket Châlons-en-Champagne (2004), GET Vosges (2004–2006), Hermine Nantes Basket (2007), ADA Blois (2011) | Slovenia – Krka Novo Mesto (2004) | Russia – Universitet Yugra Surgut (2007–2008) | Greece – Trikala Aries B.C. (2008) | United Kingdom – London Lions (2010)
Jelani Gardner’s professional basketball career spanned over a decade and took him across the globeDespite the setback, Gardner carved out a successful international career, known for his playmaking, scoring ability, and resilience.
In 1999, he began his pro career in Israel with Maccabi Rishon, where he enjoyed a positive debut in a competitive league and memorable lifestyle. After returning to the USA short stint in the CBA he moved to Europe in 2000, signing with BCJ Hamburg in Germany’s Bundesliga. There, Gardner (13.7 points, 3.2 assists, and 3.5 steals per game), showcased his all-around skill set over six appearances.
After recovering from a kidney transplant in 2002, Gardner resumed his European career with Roche-St Etienne in France (2002–2003), followed by a stint with Reims in 2003, where he posted a strong single-game performance of (17 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists). He then joined Etendard Brest for the 2003–2004 season and led France’s Pro B league in scoring with 23 points per game.
In 2004, Gardner played briefly for ESPE Basket Châlons-en-Champagne in France’s top division (Pro A), averaging (8.5 points and 5.0 assists) over four games. That same year, he also joined Krka Novo Mesto in Slovenia, competing in both the Adriatic League and the Euroleague, where he averaged (11.4 points and 3.1 assists) across nine regional games. Gardner then spent two seasons (2004–2006) with GET Vosges in France, continuing to produce as a veteran playmaker.
After half a season in the NBL he return to France, playing with Hermine Nantes Basket (2007), before joining Universitet Yugra Surgut in Russia for the 2007–2008 season. There, he averaged (13.5 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists) across 18 games in the Russian Superleague. In 2008, he signed with Trikala Aries B.C. in Greece, adding another competitive European league to his résumé.
Gardner returned to the court again in 2010 with the London Lions in the British Basketball League, and rounded out his career with ADA Blois in France in 2011. Across all his professional stops, Gardner earned a reputation as a smart, skilled shooting guard who could create for others, knock down shots, and lead by example.
COLLEGE
After playing high school basketball at St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower, California, Jelani Gardner began his college career at the University of California, Berkeley in 1994. As a freshman, he averaged (10.7 points, 6.5 assists, and 2.5 rebounds) over 27.1 minutes per game and followed that with (9.2 points, 3.9 assists, and 2.4 rebounds) in his sophomore year. Despite showing early promise, Gardner’s time at Cal ended in controversy. Frustrated by his limited playing time, Gardner’s parents revealed that head coach Todd Bozeman had paid them approximately $30,000 over two years to help them travel and attend their son's games.
The resulting NCAA investigation forced Bozeman to resign and led to California vacating all games in which Gardner had participated—effectively the entire 1994–95 season and all but two games of the 1995–96 campaign. Bozeman would be blackballed from the NCAA for nearly a decade, not returning to college coaching until 2005. In the wake of the scandal, Gardner transferred to Pepperdine University, sitting out the 1996–97 season due to NCAA transfer regulations.
At Pepperdine, Gardner revitalized his career in the West Coast Conference. He averaged (14.1 points, 5.4 assists, and 4.1 rebounds) in his junior season (1997–98) while shooting 43.5% from the field and earning All-WCC honours. He followed that with a strong senior year, averaging (13.8 points, 4.6 assists, and 3.9 rebounds), again receiving All-WCC recognition. His ability to control the pace, facilitate for teammates, and score efficiently made him one of the WCC’s premier guards.
In total, Gardner appeared in 111 college games, compiling career averages of (12.1 points, 5.1 assists, and 3.3 rebounds), while shooting 42.8% from the field and 35.4% from three-point range.
AWARDS
- McDonald's All-American (1994)
COACHING HISTORY
Jelani Gardner moved into basketball coaching following his professional playing career.
Gardner became Head Coach at La Salle College Prep in 2012 before coaching at Bristol, Duarte High School, Blair High School and South Hills High School.
Gardner also established JAG Basketball, coaching and developing junior players through his AAU program.
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