Is there a problem with Providence and Kiwi?

This Kevin McNamara article informs us that Kiwi Gardner has yet to sign an official letter-of-intent with Coach Ed Cooley and Providence College (scroll down to the next to last paragraph).

Anyone know what is causing the delay?

Here's a bit more on Kiwi Gardner and Providence

This is somewhat brief and the extended article requires a subscription but enjoy what is available here on Kiwi Gardner's commit to Providence.

Kiwi goes Big East

Kiwi Gardner has made it official. Gotta believe he starts from Day One. Providence has a new coach and a new system and probably a relatively new roster come 2011-2012. Went 4-14 in conference.

One piece of unsolicited advice to KG: do your thing but simultaneously respect the game.

A Kiwi Gardner update or not?

From Jeff Borzello's Twitter account: Re: Kiwi Gardner signing with Providence tomorrow, Westwind coach Gary Trousdale tells me: "No but they are number one on his list."

Gary Trousdale is the head coach at Westwind Prep.

A Kiwi Gardner update

From Westwind Prep Coach Gary Trousdale's Twitter account:

"Westwind Preps 5-6 Kiwi Gardner on official visit this weekend at Providence"

We thought Kiwi was going 2012 due to academics so maybe he picked it up.

Findlay versus Westwind -- the battle of the preps

Two powerhouse prep squads met last night, with some Bay Area talents mentioned.

From Anthony Ray, Arizona Preps (Rivals sub required):

"...Westwind Prep did not get much help from a few of their key members of the team, as 5-foot-9 senior point guard Kiwi Gardner would pick up four quick fouls as a result of his out of control play on the basketball floor. 6-foot-9 senior post Keanu Post was a non-factor on both ends of the floor, as the game seemed to move too fast for him.

6-foot-6 prep forward George Matthews (University of Utah signee) and 6-foot-6 prep forward John Green (UC-Santa Barbara signee) did their part in the loss, going for 16 and 17 points respectfully. Both players fought hard whilenot much was going right for their team..."

Cody Hatt again on Kiwi Gardner and John Green

Here's another excerpt from Cody Hatt's latest at the New England Recruiting Report:

"...Gardner led Westwind with 26 points and six assists, but the electric guard shot just 4-16 in a second half that saw his efficiency level drastically decrease..."

"...Kiwi Gardner (Westwind Prep)- Gardner’s 26-point, six-assist effort against Notre Dame may not have been enough to win the game, but it was enough to recognize his ability to dictate the pace of a game to best suit his style of play. Opposing defenders had absolutely no chance of staying in front of Gardner with his quickness and creativity with the ball, and, although his lack of size and inconsistency from the perimeter limits his efficiency at times, his superior athleticism should give him the opportunity to be a dynamic playmaker at the next level..."

"...[John] Green, who had a pair of spectacular dunks in the second half,  recorded a solid double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds..."

Cody Hatt on John Green and Kiwi Gardner

Cody Hatt at the New England Recruiting Report (NERR) has an article up on the highlight players so far in the National Prep Showcase back east. Two Bay area talents receive play:

"...Westwind’s Kiwi Gardner was equally impressive pushing the ball in transition off missed or made baskets, as the 5’7” lead guard flashed sensational end-to-end speed resulting in a series of mid-range pull-ups and pin-point passes to teammates running to the rim or spotting up for open shots. Behind strong scoring from Utah-bound George Matthews (15 points) and UC-Santa Barbara recruit John Green, Westwind would take a 45-38 edge into halftime...

...After Bridgton battled back to take the lead, at 57-56, with 10:50 left to play, Gardner would spark his team’s offense with a pair of deep, pull-up threes that would give Westwind a 66-60 advantage with seven minutes remaining...

...Green finished with a game-high 30 points for Westwind, to go along with 11 rebounds and four assists. Gardner followed with a strong 19-point, six-assist performance...

Go here for the full article.

Westwind Prep falls to College of Southern Idaho

John (Castlemont High) Green and Kiwi (Manteca High) Gardner led the way for Westwind in the 109-95 loss on the road to College of Southern Idaho but Kiwi must reduce the miscues if the expectations are that a high level D-1 coach is gloing to hand him the reins.

"...Green finished with 26 points and 10 boards for Westwind..."

"...Gardner, who tallied 25 points and 15 assists, but had 12 turnovers..."

Here's the complete game report.

Kiwi Gardner and John Green updates

From T.J. Parry, an assistant coach at Westwind Prep:

"WPI Blue 112 Pima Community College 100. Kiwi Gardner 40 pts 11 assists, 4 boards..."

and

"John Green 18 pts and 8 boards..."

More on Kiwi Gardner

Just saw this evaluation on Kiwi Gardner: "Freakishly quick, Gardner plays with urgency every play. Tremendous ball skills whether in traffic or open court. Can defend bigger, stronger and athletic. Best defender I’ve seen in years. His presence on the court makes everyone better. Explosive 1st step. Can score in traffic. Has solid range from beyond the arc. Plays with reckless abandon which is a plus now but will need to tone it down at the MM-HM level. Have had 2 Pac 10 coaches tell me could be in same category as Jerome Randle."

The opportunity for a life-shaping college education and the chance to play on a big stage will be there if Kiwi takes care of the academics. He has 'it' -- may he employ that to the utmost in all aspects of his life.

A few highlight videos

Go here to check out a few videos featuring Bay Area kids -- Kiwi Gardner and John Green, plus one on Greg Smith who played with the Soldiers..

Kiwi Gardner now a 2012-er

As expected, former Manteca High backcourter Kiwi Gardner, now at Westwind Prep in Phoenix, has pushed back his graduation date:

"Kiwi Gardner, a 5'7 point guard from Westwind Prep (AZ), has reclassified into the class of 2012, according to Gary Trousdale." (his coach at Westwind)

and

T.J. Parry, an assistant coach at Westwind Prep, recently tweeted this after Gardner matched up with Jahii Carson, a top 2011 star backcourter who has committed to Arizona State:

"With Kiwi's 6+ 3s and getting to the rim at will I would have to say Kiwi [won] the 1on1 battle this time. Jahii has some incredible athleticism"

Who locally/regionally is on the Westwind Prep rosters

Gary Trousdale, Bobby Bossman and staff have decided the roster makeup of the two Westwind Prep squads and there are some local connections, two already known about but one new name.

On the White team roster are Kiwi Gardner (Manteca High)and John Green (Castlemont High).

Residing on the roster of the Blue squad is Jamal Ford (Sacred Heart Cathedral).

Here's the link.

Westwind Prep covers Kiwi

Westwind Prep/Gary Trousdale has Kiwi Gardner officially posted at it site -- here you go.

Let's hope Kiwi handles the academics -- it's worth noting he isn't listed as a 2011 prospect.

Kiwi to Westwind Prep

Pat Stevens, the editor and publisher of the National Recruiting Wrap, has a listing out of those ballers attending prep school in 2010-2011. One such player is:

WESTWIND PREP (AZ) -- Kiwi Gardner (5-8 PG/Manteca, Calif./Manteca)

So it sounds like heading to Atlanta is out for Kiwi.

Westwind is the same Phoenix school Fresno State's Greg Smith attended, as did Chris Jones, now of San Jose State.

The list is by no means complete as Stevens writes that he'll be adding names in the future.

Here's a link to Westwind Prep basketball.

Kiwi-less?

Word from multiple people has it that Manteca High and Oakland Soldier guard Kiwi Gardner is exploring a move to the Atlanta area. Don't know if this is for the coming school year or after his senior season.

 Kiwi Gardner photo courtesy of The Stockton Record

Selfishly, we would love to see him him remain here but ultimately it's best that he does what will enable his success in school and on the basketball court.

Manteca falls short to Vista del Lago

Kiwi Gardner and Ernie Pimental notwithstanding, Vista del Lago triumphs:

Buffaloes Bounced
Manteca’s upset bid falls short to Vista del Lago
Jagada Chambers
Manteca Bulletin
February 27, 2010

FOLSOM – Ernie Pimentel nailed a 3-pointer with 15.8 remaining to pull Manteca High within six, but that would be as close as the Buffaloes would come in its 68-62 Sac-Joaquin Section Division III Championship loss to Vista del Lago Friday...

Go here for the remainder.

More love for Kiwi

Here you go:

Kiwi's sweet game
Manteca junior turning heads with flashy play
Jason Anderson
Stockton Record
February 22, 2010

MANTECA - Kiwi Gardner has a unique name, a unique game and a reputation that precedes him with referees.

The 5-foot-7 guard can dunk, make imaginative passes and dribble circles around defenders, sometimes going between his legs, sometimes going between theirs. Already a mild YouTube sensation, the Manteca High School junior is featured in no fewer than 15 videos with more than 130,000 views.

One video shows him taking one stride inside the free-throw line and launching himself toward the rim for a left-handed jam, creating a roar and an air of astonishment at East Union's Dalben Center. Another highlights his 52-point game against Pitman.

"People like to watch his style of play," East Union coach Brett Lewis said. "He's flashy. Getting after it, dunking, shooting long 3s - he's very tough to guard. You can't double team him and you can't put a box-and-one on him because he's so creative he'll skewer you with his passing..."

Go here for the remainder.

A column on Kiwi Gardner

Here is a column we should all read and take to heart and mind:

The Kiwi Gardner Syndrome
jcampbell
Manteca Bulletin
February 20, 2010

Its no secret: Kiwi Gardner -- the Manteca High junior standout that can make defenders fall on the floor while trying to cover him -- has attained SuperStar status.

But I'm not talking about the bling-laden, luxury car driving, club hopping superstars that command the ridiculous salaries that we're all responsible for (ticket sales and merchandise are what covers the cost of that Cristal.) I'm talking about how people either already love him or hate him even though they've never actually spoken to the young man. He has become, as a high school junior, the savior to some and the devil to others -- all for just being able to dribble a basketball a little bit better than the next guy.

Now this season there was an incident that made Kiwi Gardner a household name for Valley Oak League basketball fans, and some have chosen to take that incident (with no video proof) as a sign that he's a bad kid and he doesn't deserve the enormous amount of respect he earns...

Go here for the remainder.