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 The Milton Keynes Lions have announced today that veteran basketball star Jelani Gardner will tread the boards for the Buckinghamshire based outfit.
6’6” guard / forward, Gardner, is from the United States but holds a French passport and plays a s a Bosman player. The 34-year-old American is a graduate of the University of California where he played two years averaging 11 points and 6 assists per game and also at Pepperdine University averaging 14 points and 5 assists.
Gardner was widely considered to be a top 5 national 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 Draft 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 across the world such as Maccabi Rishon in Israel, the Fort Wayne Fury in the US, Basket Chalon in France as well as teams in France and Russia.
New Lions Head Coach, Michael New, said “I have had the pleasure of playing with Jelani before, I vowed I would have him on a team I coached he will take us to a higher level, I think he will be a real treat for our Lions fans and the BBL. His pedigree is outstanding and he has been successful at every place he has played. Jelani's versatility should create a problem every night, he can legitimately play the 1,2,3 spots on both ends of the floor and play those positions very well. At 6'6", he can score, rebound, defend and his passing is a treat. His life story can be made into a movie with his outstanding College career, high expectations of being a NBA lottery pick, and then came his health problem and his final rise back to playing professionally in Europe in some of the best leagues in Europe and also some of the best teams. We are really excited with the way our team is shaping up and most importantly everyone is coming in extremely hungry and ready to go”.
In the Russian Super League, Gardner averaged 13.4 points and 3.4 assists per game for University Surgut whilst shooting 55% from the floor and 36% from the three point line whilst in French ProB for AS Golbey Epinal he averaged 20 points and 4 assists.
Lions owner Vince Macaulay enthused at news of the signing, “I am now beginning to get excited about this team, Jelani is a player that makes you go to games with his ability, here in MK we have had to deal with a lot just to be able to play, the hoops fans here are in for a treat from Jelani and all the new guys”.
The Lions are yet to return anyone from last season and Macaulay has no qualms about that, “This is a team that will reflect the coach, for whatever reasons, last year was not what we wanted, I am not sure we will have more than one or two players return.”
The Lions will play Team USA this Sunday at Stantonbury Camous, tip off, 1pm with tickets priced at £5 and £4 available online. Season Tickets are going fast as the Lions hopw to announce their new home in MK before the end of the week.
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Milton Keynes Lions – 01908 512217; Official Website – mklions.com |
