Kansas, Mizzou men’s basketball teams in running for 7-foot recruit Jazz Gardner

Jazz Gardner, a 7-foot, 225-pound senior center from West Ranch High School in Santa Clarita, California, on Sunday night included Kansas and Missouri on his list of eight potential college men’s basketball destinations.

Gardner — he is ranked No. 80 in the recruiting Class of 2023 by 247sports.com, No. 81 by ESPN.com and No. 105 by Rivals.com — revealed a final eight of KU, MU, Texas Tech, USC, St. Mary’s, Pepperdine, UCSB and Dayton.

In the past, he had also considered Memphis, UCLA, Florida State, Gonzaga, Ohio State, Cal, Washington, Michigan, George Washington and others.

Of KU, Gardner told Zagsblog.com: “Coach (Kurtis, assistant) Townsend is a great person and a great coach. I know their facilities are really nice. I know their coaches are nice and they’re known for having great bigs. It would be a great option.”

KU assistant Townsend actually recruited Gardner’s dad, Jelani, to Cal in 1994. Jelani Gardner played two years at Cal and two at Pepperdine.

Jazz Gardner, who goes by the nickname “Big,” played for Los Altos (California) High School the last three years. He’s be switching schools as will his brother Jai Gardner, an incoming freshman.

Jazz averaged 19.0 points, 13.0 rebounds and 3.0 blocks a game his junior season for (26-7) Los Altos. He is a three-time San Gabriel Valley first-team selection. Jazz Gardner was also the Hacienda League’s most valuable player for three consecutive seasons and led his team to three consecutive league crowns.

Jelani Gardner explained his son’s nickname to Zagsblog.com: “When he was 2 or 3 years old, people thought he was 5 or 6,” Jelani said. “He’s always been really big.”