Michael Gardner an "X-factor" signing for the Goldfields Giants

The Northern Star Resources Goldfields Giants are excited to announce the signing of Michael Gardner to the men’s side ahead of the NBL1 West 2023 season.

The New Zealand national joined the Giants in 2019 in the SBL after relocating to Kalgoorlie-Boulder in search of work.

While basketball was at the back of his mind, the former junior Tall Blacks, was lured to domestic team Saints and ended up being crowned the 2018-19 division one MVP.

Gardner has been on the road to recovery since his 2019 season with the Giants, having had endured a season-ending injury within the first four minutes of the second game that season.

“I tried to come back that season and re-injured myself and I'd given up on basketball ever since –just tried to focus on work,” he said.

“I've kept up with it though and I kept coming down to games and supporting and then the urge to come back kinda took over.

“I kept trying to come back and I kept getting sent away for work but I've started a new job now with Jordy’s (Jordan Clements) dad and he is really accommodating to basketball obviously.

“So he has allowed me to be around pretty much all the time.

“I'll give it another crack, basically, while I can – I didn't want to get old and be the dude looking back saying I could have.”

Head coach Scott Manton said Gardner was an "X-factor" signing for 2023.

"His versatility and strength is a great asset and I believe he can make a significant impact on and off the court," he said.

"He will be a player to watch."

Gardner said he learned his lesson last time and will be looking after his body this season.

“This will be a bit of a cobweb duster season, just trying to get back into the swing of things and see where I fit in the team.

“Hopefully it goes amazingly but we will see.

“I've always wanted to come back but my mind was leaning more toward work.

“And now that I've worked a couple of years, starting to get older, I'd rather give it a good crack now while I still can.”