POUGHKEEPSIE, New York –
Patrick Gardner's basketball journey has always been about taking the next step.
Those steps have always been significant. From high school to junior college to Division II to Division I at Marist to … the NBA?
In the month of June, Gardner has had workouts with eight NBA teams: the Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, Milwaukee Bucks, New Orleans Pelicans, Orlando Magic, and Washington Wizards. With the NBA Draft taking place tonight, Gardner has a chance to become the third Red Fox in program history to hear his name called on draft night – or have the opportunity to join as a team as a free agent and participate in Summer League action.
"It's been surreal," Gardner said via phone last week. "The best way to go about it is to take it day by day. Whenever you're given the opportunity, work as hard as you can in the moment so you don't have any regrets."
The work Gardner put in at Marist placed him in this position. He arrived on campus for summer workouts in June of 2022 with a skilled and versatile offensive game. Over the last year, he has worked on improving his physicality while working on the nuances of play in the post.
Gardner's production was staggering. He was named First Team NABC All-District, Second Team All-MAAC, Second Team All-Met Basketball Writers Association, and to the MAAC All-Championship Team. He ranked in the MAAC's top 10 in scoring, rebounding, field goal percentage, blocked shots, and three-point percentage. His 631 points scored marked the third highest total in Marist's 43 years as a Division I program. Gardner helped lead the Red Foxes on a run to the MAAC Championship final in March, marking the Red Foxes' first appearance in a conference championship game in 31 years.
Since the Red Foxes departed the conference championships in Atlantic City on March 11, it's been a whirlwind for Gardner. There was a trip to Houston – site of this year's Final Four – to compete in the State Farm College Team Skills and 3X3U Championships, as well as the NABC – Reese's Division I All-Star Game. April brought a trip to the Portsmouth Invitational to compete in a prestigious NBA Pre-Draft Camp, and an invitation to the Met Basketball Writers Association dinner. His pre-draft workouts with individual teams began June 1.
"In the beginning of the year, I had no idea I'd be in the position I am now," Gardner said. "I'm grateful Marist was able to take me in, and I was able to learn a lot from my coaches."
To this point, Marist has had two NBA Draft choices in its history. Rik Smits was selected with the second pick in the 1988 draft by the Indiana Pacers, and enjoyed a 12-year NBA career that included a selection to the 1998 All-Star Game and a trip to the 2000 NBA Finals. Jared Jordan was selected by the Los Angeles Clippers with the 45
th overall selection in the 2007 draft. Jordan enjoyed a 13-year professional career, primarily in Germany, where he became Basketball Bundesliga's all-time assists leader.
Several more Red Foxes have appeared in NBA Summer League action, including Sean Kennedy, Chavaughn Lewis, and Adam Kemp. Lewis and Kemp have had long, successful careers in Europe, and a growing number of Red Foxes have joined the professional ranks in recent years.
On draft night, Gardner is looking forward to being surrounded by people he's close to. Whether his name is called during the draft or not, he is looking forward to whatever professional opportunity awaits.
"It's a testament to my journey," Gardner said. "It's one small chapter in a huge book full of chapters that I'm learning from, and hopefully it all works out in the end."
UPDATE (June 24): Multiple reports have indicated that Gardner will join the Miami Heat for Summer League action. GoRedFoxes.com will have a full story prior to the start of Summer League.
