The Sacramento State Hornets basketball program just landed its first recruit of the Mike Bibby-Shaquille O’Neal era. Brandon Gardner, a former top-100 recruit and 6’8″ athletic forward, announced his commitment to the Hornets after brief stints at USC and Arizona State. This gives immediate credibility to Sacramento State’s ambitious rebuild.
Gardner’s path to Sacramento represents a perfect storm of opportunity, a talented player seeking the right fit and a program hungry for transformation. With Bibby taking the helm in March and O’Neal serving as general manager, the Hornets are positioning themselves as an unexpected destination for high-level talent following their disappointing 7-25 campaign.
Mike Bibby and Shaq’s Transfer Portal Revolution
The Gardner commitment isn’t happening in isolation. Since taking over as head coach, Bibby has orchestrated a complete roster overhaul through the transfer portal, making Sacramento State one of the active programs in the country.
The Mike Bibby/Shaquille O’Neal era at Sacramento State begins with a bang! Brandon Gardner, a former top-100 recruit announces his commitment to Sacramento State.
Gardner, a 6-8 athletic forward spent a year at USC and Arizona State but played just one total game. Will get a… https://t.co/mSlSguRyK2
— Sean Paul (@SeanPaulCBB) April 29, 2025
The addition of Gardner follows a pattern that includes landing Shaqir O’Neal, Shaquille’s son, along with promising transfers Taj Glover and Jeremiah Cherry.
“God is faithful. #committed” Gardner wrote in his announcement, accompanied by Ghibli style artwork showing him in Hornets green and gold.
Gardner’s arrival represents exactly what Bibby promised when taking over, leveraging their basketball connections and credibility to attract talent that wouldn’t typically consider Sacramento State. As a former 4-star prospect with elite athleticism, Gardner provides immediate frontcourt help for a team desperate for impact players.
Can Gardner Finally Unlock His Potential?
Gardner earned his top-100 ranking (No. 77 on Rivals, No. 95 RSCI) with impressive production at Christ the King, where he averaged 12 points, 10 rebounds, and two blocks per game while earning Mr. Basketball honors in New York.
Beyond the court, his 4.2 GPA demonstrated rare academic excellence, making him a complete student-athlete who prioritized development in both areas.
The athletic forward’s college journey has been anything but straightforward. Despite his top-100 recruiting ranking, Gardner played just one game at USC, logging only four minutes, before transferring to Arizona State, where playing time remained elusive.
Sacramento State represents a fresh opportunity with significantly fewer barriers to immediate playing time.
What makes Gardner such an intriguing addition is his combination of physical tools and untapped potential. At 6’8″ with explosive leaping ability, he profiles as the kind of interior presence the Hornets lacked during their 25 losses campaign.
His development was hindered by limited opportunities at previous stops but Bibby’s NBA experience could accelerate his growth.
The Gardner commitment signals Sacramento State’s emergence as a legitimate destination for high-caliber transfers looking for redemption.
KEEP READING: 2025 Men’s College Basketball Transfer Portal Tracker
With a new on-campus basketball facility opening this fall and the star power of Bibby and O’Neal providing unprecedented resources, the Hornets appear poised for a dramatic turnaround after years of struggling in the Big Sky Conference.
It’s a chance for Gardner to finally deliver on the promise that made him a coveted recruit. For Sacramento State, it’s validation that their bold coaching experiment might just transform the program faster than anyone anticipated.
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