Jelani Gardner
Encyclopedia
Jelani Gardner is an American-French professional basketball player. In 2002, he underwent a kidney transplant operation. He is 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) in height. He plays mainly at the shooting guard
position, but he can also play at the point guard
and small forward
positions. He played with the Milton Keynes Lions Basketball Club until he was released in January 2011.
in Bellflower, California
, Gardner played college basketball
at the University of California
. However, when his parents became disenchanted with their son's lack of playing time, they revealed to the NCAA that Todd Bozeman
, Cal's head coach, had paid them about $30,000 dollars. This was over a two-year period so his parents could attend Jelani's games. After the scandal broke, Gardner transferred to Pepperdine
. Bozeman was ultimately forced to resign and effectively blackballed from the college ranks until 2005, and Cal was forced to forfeit every game in which Gardner played (the entire 1994-95 season and all but two games of the 1995-96 season).
physical examination. Because of this he was unable to get drafted by any NBA teams. He continued his college career and after it was over he was still not able to get any NBA contracts because of his kidney ailment. Finally, in 2002, after playing with kidney disease for 7 years, Gardner's disease reached the critical stage and he received a kidney transplant from his mother that year.
Although he could never pass a player physical in order to sign with any NBA teams, Gardner has played professionally with clubs such as Maccabi Rishon
, the Grand Rapids Hoops
, the Fort Wayne Fury
, the Hamburg Tigers, the Roanoke Dazzle
, Reims
, Krka Novo Mesto
, ESPE Basket Châlons-en-Champagne, AS Golbey-Epinal, Universitet Yugra Surgut
, Trikala 2000
in his professional career.
Shooting guard
The shooting guard , also known as the two or off guard, is one of five traditional positions on a basketball team. Players of the position are often shorter, leaner, and quicker than forwards. A shooting guard's main objective is to score points for his team...
position, but he can also play at the point guard
Point guard
Point guard , also called the play maker or "the ball-handler", is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. A point guard has perhaps the most specialized role of any position – essentially, he is expected to run the team's offense by controlling the ball and making sure that...
and small forward
Small forward
The small forward, or colloquially known as three, is one of the five positions in a regulation basketball game. Small forwards are typically somewhat shorter, quicker, and leaner than power forwards and centers, but on occasion are just as tall...
positions. He played with the Milton Keynes Lions Basketball Club until he was released in January 2011.
College career
After playing high school basketball at St. John Bosco High SchoolSt. John Bosco High School
St. John Bosco High School is a Catholic college preparatory school located in Bellflower, California, USA; conducted by the Salesians of St. John Bosco, San Francisco Province. SJBHS is named after Saint John Bosco and was originally founded as an elementary and intermediate boarding school by...
in Bellflower, California
Bellflower, California
Bellflower is a city in Los Angeles County, California, and is a suburb of Los Angeles. It was incorporated on September 3, 1957. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 76,616, up from 72,878 at the 2000 census....
, Gardner played college basketball
College basketball
College basketball most often refers to the USA basketball competitive governance structure established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Basketball in the NCAA is divided into three divisions: Division I, Division II and Division III....
at the University of California
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
. However, when his parents became disenchanted with their son's lack of playing time, they revealed to the NCAA that Todd Bozeman
Todd Bozeman
Todd Bozeman is an American college basketball coach and the current head men's basketball coach at Morgan State University.-Berkeley:...
, Cal's head coach, had paid them about $30,000 dollars. This was over a two-year period so his parents could attend Jelani's games. After the scandal broke, Gardner transferred to Pepperdine
Pepperdine University
Pepperdine University is an independent, private, medium-sized university affiliated with the Churches of Christ. The university's campus overlooking the Pacific Ocean in unincorporated Los Angeles County, California, United States, near Malibu, is the location for Seaver College, the School of...
. Bozeman was ultimately forced to resign and effectively blackballed from the college ranks until 2005, and Cal was forced to forfeit every game in which Gardner played (the entire 1994-95 season and all but two games of the 1995-96 season).
Pro career
Gardner was widely considered to be a quality basketball prospect in the United States and he was considered to be a player that had a shot at stardom in the NBA by most pro scouts. But it was learned in 1995 that the then 19-year-old Gardner had kidney disease after he took a blood test as part of a pre-NBA DraftNBA Draft
The NBA Draft is an annual event in which the thirty teams from the National Basketball Association can draft players who are eligible and wish to join the league. These players are usually amateur U.S. college basketball players, but international players are also eligible to be drafted...
physical examination. Because of this he was unable to get drafted by any NBA teams. He continued his college career and after it was over he was still not able to get any NBA contracts because of his kidney ailment. Finally, in 2002, after playing with kidney disease for 7 years, Gardner's disease reached the critical stage and he received a kidney transplant from his mother that year.
Although he could never pass a player physical in order to sign with any NBA teams, Gardner has played professionally with clubs such as Maccabi Rishon
Maccabi Rishon LeZion (basketball)
Maccabi Rishon LeZion is a basketball club based in Rishon LeZion in central Israel. The club plays in Ligat HaAl, the top division of Israeli basketball.-History:...
, the Grand Rapids Hoops
Grand Rapids Hoops
The Grand Rapids Hoops was a basketball team that played in the Continental Basketball Association, based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Their first season was in 1989, and their final season was in 2003...
, the Fort Wayne Fury
Fort Wayne Fury
The Fort Wayne Fury was a team in the Continental Basketball Association from 1991 through the cessation of the CBA on February 8, 2001.-History:...
, the Hamburg Tigers, the Roanoke Dazzle
Roanoke Dazzle
The Roanoke Dazzle were an NBA Development League team based in Roanoke, Virginia, U.S.A.. In operation from the inaugural D-League season of 2001-02 through the 2005-06 season, the Dazzle marked the return of professional basketball to Roanoke since the Virginia Squires called Roanoke home in the...
, Reims
Reims Champagne Basket
Reims Champagne Basket is a basketball club based in Reims, France that plays in the Ligue Nationale de Basketball. Their home arena is Complexe Sportif René Tys....
, Krka Novo Mesto
Krka Basketball Club
-Depth Chart:-In: Marko Đurković Curtis Stinson Jerome Jordan Jimmy Baxter Allan Ray...
, ESPE Basket Châlons-en-Champagne, AS Golbey-Epinal, Universitet Yugra Surgut
Universitet Yugra Surgut
Universitet Yugra, also called Universitet Yugra Surgut is a Russian professional basketball team. The team competes in the Russian Super League.- External links:**...
, Trikala 2000
Athlitikos Syllogos Trikala 2000 BC
A.S. Trikala 2000 BC, full name, Athlitikos Syllogos Trikala 2000 KAE, was a Greek professional basketball club that is located in Trikala, Greece. The club is commonly known as either Trikala 2000 or Trikala BC...
in his professional career.