ECU's Gardner named AAC Freshman of the Week

PROVIDENCE, R.I. --- ECU’s Jayden Gardner was named the American Athletic Conference Men’s Basketball Freshman-of-the-Week, as the league announced its inaugural 2018-19 weekly awards Monday.

In three games last week, Gardner averaged 14.4 points, 7.7 rebounds and 26.0 minutes and connected on 45.5 percent of his field goal attempts (10-of-22) and 78.6 percent of his free throws (22-of-28).

Gardner scored 30 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for his first career double-double in the Pirates’ 84-78 overtime win against Lamar Sunday. He finished 9-of-10 from the field and 12-of-14 at the foul line, playing 37 minutes.

Gardner became just the third freshman in school history to score 30 points in a game, joining Steve Richardson (36 vs. Navy, 2/3/90) and teammate Shawn Williams (30 vs. Memphis, 2/3/18) in the exclusive club.

The Wake Forest, N.C. rookie made his ECU debut Tuesday against Delaware State, scoring six points and grabbing eight rebounds. Three days late against James Madison, Gardner added another six points and secured five rebounds.

He is the fifth different ECU freshman to be recognized by The American with the weekly honor, joining Williams and former Pirates Jeremy Sheppard, Kentrell Barkley and B.J. Tyson.

ECU travels to Atlanta on Friday, Nov. 16, to take on Georgia Tech at McCamish Pavilion. Tipoff on the ACC Network Extra is slated for 7:30 p.m.