Davante Gardner

• Nicknames: “Big Ox”
• Number: 54
• Position: C
• Height: 6'9“
• Weight: 245 lbs.
• Birthday: September 2, 1991
• Hometown: Suffolk, VA
• High School: King's Fork High School
• AAU Team: Petersburg Elite
  

His junior year was momentous as it culminated in a state title for King's Fork. Davante was selected as a second-team all-stater.

However, it was his senior year when Davante blossomed. He surpassed the 1,000 career point mark early in the season and became the third King's Fork player to do so. He led his King’s Fork basketball team to a 24-3 record. It was the Bulldogs’ second straight undefeated season through the Southeastern District, third consecutive district tourney title, and fourth straight year reaching the Eastern Region Tournament.

While averaging 23 points (led all South Hampton Roads Group AAA players), 13 rebounds and two blocks per game as a senior, he finished his three-year varsity career with 1,431 points and 992 rebounds.

Davante piled up multiple accolades during his senior campaign:

• Associated Press (Virginia) Group AAA boys basketball first team
• VHSCA (Virginia High School Coaches Association) Group AAA All-State Team (top center in the state)
• First-team All-Eastern Region
• First-team All-Southeastern District

On May 3, 2010, Gardner committed to Marquette despite a scholarship offer from South Florida. Devante also had interest from Ball State, Georgetown, Maryland, Penn State, and VCU.

Recorded a career-high 17 points in his first collegiate game on perfect 7-for-7 shooting from the field vs. Prairie View A&M (Nov. 12) in addition to five rebounds and a pair of blocks … Scored seven of his 11 points vs. Bucknell during a 24-0 run by MU, helping the Golden Eagles rally for the win after coming back from a 13-point deficit … Scored all 11 of his points vs. Green Bay (Nov. 17) in the second half … Left with an arm injury after playing just two minutes vs. South Dakota (Nov. 20) … Contributed nine points and four rebounds vs. Duke (Nov. 22) … Scored 10 points vs. Texas A&M-CC (Dec. 7) after missing the previous three games due to injury … Went 5-of-6 from the free throw line and 2-of-2 from the floor for nine points in a career-high 18 mintues vs. Wisconsin (Dec. 11) … One of three MU players to score in double figures with 12 points vs. Georgetown (Feb. 13) before fouling out in the second half … Played 11 minutes vs. Seton Hall (Feb. 19) and finished with seven points, six rebounds and a pair of assists … Tallied nine points and matched a career-high with seven rebounds in win over Providence (Mar. 8) in opening round at BIG EAST Championship, followed by 10 points on a perfect night from the floor (4-of-4) in a second-round upset over West Virginia (Mar. 9) … Scored 16 points vs. North Carolina (Mar. 25) in the NCAA Regional Semifinal, including six field goals on a career-high nine field attempts.

Born September 2, 1991 in Suffolk, Va. … Son of Audie and Sheila Gardner … Mother played basketball at Elizabeth City State University … majoring in communication studies.