Former Utah basketball star Vern Gardner is one of 11 other former student-athletes headed to the Pac-12 men's basketball hall of honor in March, the conference announced Tuesday.
Gardner, who played for the Utes from 1945-1949, led the Utes with 15.3 points per game during his senior season. He was also named MVP during the Utes' 1947 NIT championship run. He was drafted with the fifth overall pick by the Philadelphia Warriors in 1949.
The induction ceremony will be held on March 12 before the Pac-12 men's basketball tournament championship game in Las Vegas.
Joining Gardner will be one former student-athlete from each of the 11 other conference schools. Salim Stoudamire (Arizona), Art Becker (Arizona State), Brian Hendrick (California), Scott Wedman (Colorado), Luke Ridnour (Oregon), Jim Anderson (Oregon State), Kim Belton (Stanford), Keith Erickson (UCLA), Sam Clancy (USC), Isaiah Thomas (Washington) and Keith Morrison (Washington State) will also be inducted into the hall of honor.
Gardner was added to the Utah Crimson Club Hall of Fame in 1985 before his death in 1987. His No. 33 was also retired.
Utah’s previous Pac-12 honorees include Arnie Ferrin (2012), Keith Van Horn (2013), Billy McGill (2014) and Danny Vranes (2015).