[4][5] Gardner finished high school with the second-most points behind Donald Williams and the most rebounds and free throws made in Wake County history.

[1] He was rated a three-star recruit by 247Sports and Rivals and committed to play college basketball for East Carolina over offers from Penn State and VCU, among others.

Six days later, he tallied 30 points and 15 rebounds in a 95–86 loss to UNC Wilmington, becoming the first-ever American Athletic Conference (AAC) freshman with multiple 30-point games.

[17] Gardner became the third-fastest East Carolina player to reach 1,000 career points in a February 12 loss to Tulsa.

[18] As a sophomore, he averaged an AAC-leading 19.7 points, 9.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game, posting 13 double-doubles, and was named to the Second Team All-AAC.

[20] On April 12, 2021, Gardner transferred to Virginia for his final two seasons of eligibility, choosing the Cavaliers over offers from Arkansas, LSU, Miami, and NC State, among others.

[26] Gardner had a very successful rookie year in Belgium averaging 15.3 ppg 6 Rbs 1.1 ass a game shooting 50%fg and 34% from 3pt[27] On August 3, 2024, he signed with Rasta Vechta of the Basketball Bundesliga (BBL).