Reclaiming Her Place
A promising career rarely follows a straight path, and Timea Gardiner's story is no exception. After arriving at college as one of Utah's most decorated prospects, she quickly began turning expectations into on-court production, proving her value as a player capable of influencing games in multiple ways. Her journey has since taken several unexpected turns, making each new opportunity to complete another important phase in her career.
- Full Name: Timea Gardiner
- Sport: Women's Basketball
- Position: Forward
- Height: 6-foot-3
- Hometown: Ogden, Utah
- College: University of California, Los Angeles
- Previous College: Oregon State University
- Current Team: UCLA Bruins
- Jersey Number: 30
- Class: Fifth Year
- Years Active: 2022-present
Gardiner emerged as one of Utah's leading basketball prospects at Fremont High School, collecting three All-Utah First Team selections alongside McDonald's All-American and Jordan Brand Classic All-American honors in 2022. She also represented the United States at the 2019 FIBA Americas U16 Championship, helping the national squad capture gold.
Her collegiate career started at Oregon State during the 2022-2023 term, although an unexpected medical discovery disrupted her freshman year. Before the schedule began, she crashed her scooter while riding around campus, sustaining a minor injury. A subsequent CT scan revealed blood clots in her lungs, requiring treatment and sidelining her for the first half of the season.
Despite the complication, Timea eventually returned and played in 15 contests, accumulating 8.7 points and 3.5 rebounds per outing. Her efforts earned honorable mention recognition on the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team, highlighting her ability to contribute despite missing a substantial portion of the schedule.
She made further strides as a sophomore, posting 11.6 points and 7.0 rebounds per game. Her production contributed to Oregon State advancing to the Elite Eight of the 2024 NCAA Tournament. She also received Pac-12 Sixth Player of the Year honors and secured a place on the coaches' All-Conference Team, reflecting her increasing impact within the program.
In May 2024, Gardiner transferred to UCLA, bringing valuable college experience and perimeter shooting to Westwood. She made an immediate impression in her Bruins debut, registering 15 points and sinking five three-pointers battling Louisville in Paris.
Throughout the 2024-2025 season, She averaged 7.6 points and 3.4 rebounds while leading the roster in three-point accuracy at 39.5 percent. She also established a career high with 23 points versus Arkansas, showcasing her capacity to provide additional offensive weapons for the West Coast program.
Her value became especially evident during UCLA's NCAA Tournament run. In the Elite Eight matchup against LSU, she finished with 15 points and five three-pointers, helping the squad earn a 72-65 victory and their first NCAA Final Four appearance. Her performance demonstrated her ability to deliver perimeter production in high-pressure playoff situations.
A further setback emerged during the following offseason when Timea suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament before the 2025-2026 campaign. The injury required surgery and an extended rehabilitation process, preventing her from competing throughout the entire competition period. She received a medical redshirt in January 2026, preserving an additional year of collegiate eligibility. While her teammates pursued another championship, she focused on recovery and continued supporting the program through her leadership.
After months of rehabilitation, Gardiner returned to action on November 2, 2026, facing Lehigh. She posted six points, five rebounds and two blocks in 20 minutes as UCLA secured a 73-53 victory. Three days later, she added 12 points, five rebounds, one block and one steal in a subsequent win over UC Irvine.
Through her opening two outings of the 2026-2027 season, she totaled 18 points, 10 rebounds, three blocks and one steal. Her comeback also provides valuable experience to the Bruins, who are defending their national title. With her perimeter shooting, offensive versatility and defensive contributions, she offers a reliable alternative in the frontcourt.
For Timea, returning to the court marks a significant step forward in the aftermath of two major injury setbacks. Her journey has tested her patience and resilience, but she now has a fresh opportunity to rebuild her rhythm, contribute to UCLA and make the most of her remaining playing eligibility.