Ken Gardner

Ken Gardner
Gardner, circa 1971
Personal information
Born(1949-09-27)September 27, 1949
Ogden, Utah, U.S.
DiedMay 16, 2024(2024-05-16) (aged 74)
Herriman, Utah, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Listed weight205 lb (93 kg)
Career information
High schoolClearfield (Clearfield, Utah)
CollegeUtah (1968–1971)
NBA draft1971: 5th round, 82nd overall pick
Selected by the Phoenix Suns
PositionSmall forward
Number14
Career history
1975Utah Stars
Stats at Basketball Reference

Kenneth Kay Gardner (September 27, 1949 – May 16, 2024) was an American basketball player. He is best known for playing for the now-defunct French club AS Berck, with which he won the French National Championship in 1973 and 1974.[1] Gardner went on to play for the also defunct Nice BC of the LNB (French National Basketball League) and the Utah Stars of the ABA.[2] Gardner was twice named the best American player in France during his five-year career there,[3] during which he averaged 22.8 points per game.[4] His 6,012 career points still rank in the top 100 among all-time scorers in the French league.[5]

Gardner played for the University of Utah in college and ranks top ten in points per game and top five in rebounds per game in the school's history.[6] Gardner was one of only two unanimous selections to the Western Athletic Conference all-conference basketball team in 1971.[7] Gardner was also 2nd Team all-conference as a Junior in 1970.[8] He was named the Most Valuable Player of the 1970 Utah Classic after leading the Utes with 25 points and 20 rebounds in a win over the University of Washington in the championship game.[9]

Gardner died in Herriman, Utah, on May 16, 2024, at the age of 74.[10]

Career statistics

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Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

ABA

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Source[11]

Regular season

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Year Team GP MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
1975–76 Utah 9 5.7 .333 1.000 1.4 .3 .2 .1 1.6

References

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  1. ^ "Legende 73](French language website commemorating the 30th anniversary of AS Berck's first championship)[". Association Légende 73. Archived from the original on 2010-05-14. Retrieved 2010-04-29.
  2. ^ "Utah Stars Team Roster". RememberTheABA.com. Archived from the original on 2009-02-23.
  3. ^ Drew, Jay (February 24, 1993). "Gardners Hoping History Repeats Itself--Sort Of". The Salt Lake Tribune, February 24, 1993, p. D1.
  4. ^ "Classement des plus grands joueurs du championnat de France du 81° au 90° ](French language website that details the history of basketball in France)[". www.basketballarchives.fr.
  5. ^ "Classement des plus grands joueurs du championnat de France ](French language website that lists the top scorers in league history)[". www.basketballarchives.fr.
  6. ^ "Men's Basketball Archives". University of Utah. Archived from the original on 2007-09-14.
  7. ^ "Gardner Tops WAC Team". Deseret News, March 8, 1971, p. 4B.
  8. ^ "Newlin Paces WAC Picks". Deseret News, March 2, 1970, p. 6B.
  9. ^ "Ute's Show Season's Best Cohesion". Deseret News, December 21, 1970, p. 6D.
  10. ^ "Kenneth Kay Gardner". Memorial Mortuaries & Cematories. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  11. ^ "Ken Gardner NBA stats". Basketball Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
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