Prospect Spotlight: Teon Gardner (2019)
Each year, the boys Baltimore City high school season includes a gauntlet of tests. It’s a league that has the reputation for high talent, but also one that includes a tremendous amount of physicality and toughness. It isn’t common that a player blossoms at a young age, but sophomore Teon Gardner officially put himself on the map with the success that he brought to the Edmondson-Westside Red Storm this season.
The Red Storm finished the season with a 16-6 overall record that included a trip to the Class 1A State Final. They lost the final to a good Fairmont Heights team, but Gardner wouldn’t allow a chance to play well on a big stage to pass him up.
In the two games at the Xfinity Center (State Semifinals and Finals), Gardner averaged 16 points per game. The 6-4 guard has a very versatile game. He was responsible for getting his team in sets offensively, but when the opposing defense was in man, he used his quick first step to accelerate by his man and attack the basket.
Gardner makes his impact by attacking the rim first a foremost, but he also has a nice stroke from three on catch-and-shoot situations. He connected on four three’s in the state title game, which made it tough for his match up to anticipate what he would do with the ball and Gardner reaped the benefits.
Although he is one of the younger players on the team, Gardner’s leadership sticks out. Considering he is a standout quarterback for the football team, it isn’t difficult for him to take on this role.
(All video credit: Sports Majors)
Gardner will be on Cecil Kirk for the AAU season this spring/summer. During that time, Gardner told PrepHoops that he wants to improve on his ball handling and shooting in hopes to lead his high school team back to the state title game.
He hasn’t had any interest from colleges yet, but that’s sure to change once coaches are exposed to his skills and size this spring/summer.