St. John’s basketball: Brandon Gardner commits to USC

Former St. John’s basketball commit Brandon Gardner is heading to Southern California. 

Things were very quiet surrounding Brandon Gardner ever since he requested his release from his National Letter of Intent to play for the St. John’s basketball program, but he now has a new home.

Gardner announced his commitment to Southern California last week.

The only other schools to show reported interest in the Christ the King (NY) standout after his released from the Johnnies were Grand Canyon and Rhode Island.

The 6-foot-7 forward was named as Mr. New York Basketball after just one season playing high school hoops in the area and is still listed as a four-star recruit, although he has dropped to the No. 92 overall player in the 247Sports Composite Rankings.

https://twitter.com/bgardner2023/status/1664669297799462919

Brandon Gardner now joins the No. 4 recruiting class in the county at USC, highlighted by Isaiah Collier, the No. 1 player in the Class of 2023.

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The Trojans also boast the sensation that is five-star guard Bronny James, LeBron James’ son, in its recruiting class as well as four-star center Arrinten Page.

St. John’s basketball regime chases former players

St. John’s has now seen all three of its high school recruits under former head coach Mike Anderson commit to other schools as Harrison Reede is pledged to Southern Utah and junior college All-American Yaxel Lendeborg is off to UAB.

The Red Storm have only added one high school prospect to its roster under Rick Pitino, four-star wing Brady Dunlap.

Dunlap was originally committed to Notre Dame but reopened his recruitment after the dismissal of Irish head coach Mike Brey.

Twelve different players linked to the Red Storm program have either entered the transfer portal or reopened its recruitment since the dismissal of Anderson.

It was reported that Brandon Gardner was invited to remain with St. John’s by Pitino but turned down the offer and elected to see what other options were available to him.