Jolena Gardner Jolena Gardner 6'0" | SF Columbia | 2025 State FL has been impactful since her Freshman year and is one of the most versatile players in the entire State of Florida. Gardner has the skillset to play 4 to 5 positions on both sides of the court. She has a combination of speed, power, athleticism, physicality, agility, and competitiveness. By the way, her basketball skillset is pretty good, too. Gardner can score from anywhere on the court. She can shoot the three, pull-up in the midrange, drive to the rim, and even play in the post with her back to the basket. The Senior Forward is a selfless player who gets others involved. Gardner doesn’t play for stats, but stats can “sometimes” be revealing. Gardner ranks 2nd on her team in nearly every category, and shooter the ball at a team leading 45 percent. Gardner is an elite talent – one of the best forwards in the State.

Jolena Gardner Jolena Gardner 6'0" | SF Columbia | 2025 State FL is averaging 15. 2 points per game through 6 games played this season.  Gardner is a player who can play 3 to 4 positions on the floor.   She flirts with a double double every time she touches the floor.   This season Gardner is averaging 8.6 rebounds  per games.  Gardner runs tve floor well and can play on tve perimeter and also take it inside and score.   She can also handle the ball,  lead tbe break,  or fill the lane.  She is a threat to score from anywhere on the court.  Defensively, she is versatile and can defend on the perimeter and also in the paint.  Gardner averages close to 2 blocks per game.   

Jolena Gardner Jolena Gardner 6'0" | SF Columbia | 2025 State FL possesses so many skills as a basketball player. Not many players can play four to five positions on the floor, but Gardner has the physical tools and skillset to do so. Gardner has the physical strength to withstand the physical contact in the paint, the footwork to play out on the perimeter, and the ball-handling skills to play at the guard position if needed. Defensively, Gardner plays with a chip and thrives on playing against elite competition. She can mix it up in the paint and has the quickness and lateral movement to defend guards and perimeter players.

Jolena Gardner Jolena Gardner 6'0" | SF Columbia | 2025 State FL is another power forward who can shoot the rock on the perimeter as well as in the paint. She is one of the top talents in North Florida, and she has the ability to play all five positions on the floor. Gardner’s three-point shot is smooth, and when she connects on a few, she becomes a virtually unstoppable force on the court. Gardner can put the ball down and drive the paint. She has a sweet fade-away jumper to score over taller forwards and centers, and she has the footwork to create in the paint. Gardner is a force on the boards, and she can initiate the offense with her ability to handle the basketball. Gardner might be one of the most underrated prospects in the 2026 class.

Jolena Gardner Jolena Gardner 6'0" | SF Columbia | 2025 State FL is one of the most skilled forwards in the state, capable of playing both on the wing and in the post, making her a mismatch problem for any opposing team. She can blow by bigger defenders and bully smaller ones, or shoot over them, whether in the post, off the dribble, or on the catch.

You can also run your offense through Gardner, as she has a high basketball IQ and consistently makes the right passes. She’s quick to read situations in transition, which leads to her either scoring or setting up her teammates for easy baskets.

Coming off a season where she averaged 11.9 points per game, 9.0 rebounds per game, and 4.3 steals per game, I expect Jolena to improve those numbers in her senior season, following a successful travel season with the Essence EYCL team.