Isaac McKneely
Virginia's Jayden Gardner (1) celebrates during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Clemson in Charlottesville, Va., Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Mike Kropf)
Gardner, Franklin push No. 13 Virginia past Clemson, 64-57

By Hank Kurz Jr. Feb. 28, 2023 09:23 PM EST

North Carolina forward Puff Johnson (14) and Virginia forward Jayden Gardner (1) collide during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
Virginia Cavaliers at North Carolina Tar Heels 2/25/2023

Feb. 25, 2023 08:22 PM EST

Virginia guard Isaac McKneely drives against Georgia Tech guard Dallan Coleman during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Hakim Wright Sr.)
Virginia Cavaliers at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 12/31/2022

Dec. 31, 2022 02:12 PM EST

Virginia guard Kihei Clark (0) shoots against James Madison during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Charlottesville, Va., Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022. (AP Photo/Erin Edgerton)
Clark, Gardner lift No. 3 Virginia past James Madison, 55-50

By Hank Kurz Jr. Dec. 06, 2022 10:37 PM EST

James Madison forward Mezie Offurum (13) works against Virginia forward Jayden Gardner (1) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Charlottesville, Va., Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022. (AP Photo/Erin Edgerton)
James Madison Dukes at Virginia Cavaliers 12/6/2022

Dec. 06, 2022 09:06 PM EST

Virginia forward Jayden Gardner (1) blocks Michigan guard Jett Howard's (13) shot in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Virginia's depth helping its rapid climb in the AP Top 25

By Hank Kurz Jr. Dec. 01, 2022 12:16 PM EST

Virginia's Kadin Shedrick (21) dunks the ball against Monmouth during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Charlottesville, Va., Friday, Nov. 11, 2022. (AP Photo/Mike Kropf)
Freshmen lead No. 18 Virginia in rout of Monmouth, 89-42

By Hank Kurz Jr. Nov. 11, 2022 11:09 PM EST

FILE - Virginia forward Jayden Gardner (1) moves around Pittsburgh forward Mouhamadou Gueye (15) during an NCAA college basketball game in Charlottesville, Va., Dec. 3, 2021. The Cavaliers start the season ranked 18th and received the second-most first place votes in Atlantic Coast Conference preseason prognostications by the media, thanks in large part to the returns of fifth-year leader and point guard Kihei Clark (10.0 ppg) and bruising forward Gardner, their leader in scoring and rebounding. (AP Photo/Andrew Shurtleff, File)
Experience abounds as Virginia looks to contend again in ACC

By Hank Kurz Jr. Oct. 19, 2022 11:43 AM EDT