July 24, 2006

Columbia, Mo. - Prior to the 2006 National Basketball Association Draft former University of Missouri standout Thomas Gardner went through numerous workouts to showcase his abilities for perspective NBA clubs. Those workouts paid off in the form of a pair of mini-camp opportunities, as Gardner was invited to participate in tryouts for both the Phoenix Suns and San Antonio Spurs on Monday.

Both mini-camps will be held in early August (dates not yet available from the organizations), but will be staggered, allowing Gardner the opportunity to tryout for both organizations if necessary. Should Gardner attend the San Antonio mini-camp, it will be his second stint with the franchise. The 6-foot-5, 220-pounder worked out for the Spurs on July 10-12 prior to the team's Rocky Mountain Revue Summer League in Salt Lake City, Utah.

"It's exciting to have another opportunity," Gardner said. "You go through those (pre-draft) workouts looking for a chance to improve yourself and hopefully have a team notice you. My approach in San Antonio was to learn as much as possible. I wanted to showcase my abilities, but I learned not to just lean on my strengths as a player. I learned to focus on other aspects of the game. Working out with Bruce Bowen (San Antonio's All-Defensive Team honoree), I got a new perspective of the game. I learned how to read screens and how to see the floor on the defensive end. It also changed my work ethic. This is a business now. Knowing that changes the way you prepare. It changes the way you train. You spend more time in the gym with an opportunity like this in mind. I'm excited and thankful for these opportunities."

Gardner will look to begin his professional career following an outstanding junior season that saw him lead the Big 12 Conference in three-point field goals (3.36) and rank second in scoring average (19.7). A Third Team All-Big 12 pick by the Conference Coaches, Gardner was cited as being one of the Big 12's most improved players in 2005-06 and was tabbed the "Top Shooter" in the Conference in a player's poll conducted by Sports Illustrated.

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