Especially after a 1-12 start to his college career.
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Thirty Division 1 schools offered Gardner a basketball scholarship, but only two came from the state of North Carolina: UNCG and ECU.
Gardner wanted to stay close to his Wake Forest home.
If the recruiting process started now, the 6-foot-6 rising star could take his pick. Fifteen points and 15 rebounds against South Florida gave Gardner his eighth double-double in 19 college games.
To put what Gardner is doing in perspective, consider that he's fifth in the nation among freshman in scoring.
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Two of the guys ahead of him play at Duke.
Last spring, Gardner led Heritage High School to a runner-up finish in 4A. Now he's a Pirate and seemingly, double good.