Gardiner taking game overseas

By Cody Stark
Assistant Sports Editor

July 19, 2008 11:09 pm

— Basketball has opened a lot of doors for former Sam Houston State standout John Gardiner.
It brought him to the United States from his home in Mesopotamia, Saint Vincent, and now it is taking him across the Atlantic Ocean. Gardiner recently agreed to play for Ireland’s Abrakebabra Tigers in the Irish SuperLeague and will be hopping on a plane some time in late August or early September to play professional basketball.
“This game has given me opportunities that I wouldn’t have gotten otherwise,” Gardiner said Saturday afternoon. “I have gotten to see many different places. I’m glad I came to Sam Houston, and I’m thankful for everybody that has helped me along the way.”
Gardiner joined the Bearkats for the 2005-06 season as a transfer from Grayson County Community College. That season, he averaged 7.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and blocked 33 shots.
The 6-8 post earned Southland Conference all-tournament honors as a junior after hitting the game-winning shot in overtime against Texas-Arlington in the first round and helping SHSU reach the championship game.
After missing the 2006-07 campaign following knee surgery, Gardiner came back last season and averaged 7.4 points, 4.8 rebounds and blocked 41 shots as the Kats finished third in the SLC regular season and advanced to the second round of the league’s postseason tournament.
Now Gardiner is trading in his SHSU orange and white for Abrakebabra red and white.
“I thank God for this opportunity,” Gardiner said. “I’m excited about going over there and being paid to play basketball. Our season is going to run for about six to eight months, then there will be a break. That’s when you decide if you want to stay or get picked up by another team.
“I don’t know how long I’m going to play, but I would like to return to the States whenever I’m done playing.”
Gardiner isn’t going to be the only Bearkat in Ireland. Former guard C.J. Hadley is also on the team, having played for the Tigers last season. Chris Jordan and Wilder Auguste also played for Abrakebabra in the past.
Hadley was part of the SHSU signing class that brought Gardiner to Huntsville but the two never played together. Hadley missed their junior season with a knee injury before Gardiner missed the following year.
Hadley led the Tigers in scoring last season with 28.5 points a game, while Jordan was second at 24.05.
“It’s going to be fun to finally get to play with C.J.,” Gardiner said. “We never got to play together at Sam because he was injured our first year and then I missed the next.
“Chris Jordan was on the team last year, but I’m not sure if he is coming back. I’m not sure what Wilder is going to do either, but it should be a lot of fun.”