Christian Gardiner '21 Recruiting Profile

Growing up in a small town and the smallest kid in my class I felt like I had to work 10 times harder to get where other kids were. In Elementary School I wanted every presidential fitness award I could get, and be in every sport available. I joined Pee Wee wrestling and the closer Middle School came I would beg to join in practices (Wrestling, Basketball, NYO). In fourth grade I wanted to compete and I helped my parents start JNYO (Junior Native Youth Olympics) which was the first time my region had ever had competitors. In Middle School I continued going to my practices and would get to participate in High School practices as well for Wrestling and NYO while also getting to watch and sometimes participate in Basketball. I was captain of my middle school teams in 7th and 8th grade and continued to work on shooting and ball drills on weekends or after practice. I have maintained that work ethic to better myself and my team but I also believe I am a good candidate because of who I am,  I want all to participate, I have given up shots for a team mate with Autism, convinced others as well when we were high on the score board. I have spent hours with Middle School players helping with practices and drills during their practices while giving the game of basketball what it deserves, fans that love the game.  I am still growing as a person and finding my way for my collegiate goals, some say athletics are easy for me while academics just take a little more effort, truth is both take time and effort to succeed. Even though I have maintained a 3.5 grade or higher in High School it has been a struggle and I continue to view my grades like I do sports, time, effort, and passion (less than sports but still passion).

At the beginning of my current Basketball Season, I was injured and benched for the season, I thought my basketball career was over, but with tons of hard work while providing support as the captain and to a brand new coach (1 year JV experience only) I pulled through and still ranked top 2 in Points per Game for the Season. Now I have a drive to build my stats back up and show colleges why I belong on the court and in their school.