UCLA forward Timea Gardiner made it official on Saturday, announcing that she’ll be using a medical redshirt this season due to a lingering knee injury that has kept her on the sideline all season long. While Gardiner’s injury gives the Bruins less frontcourt depth this season, it’ll help UCLA in the 2026-2027 season.
“As many know, I have been sidelined this year due to fighting a knee injury. The recovery process has been longer than expected therefore I have decided to medically redshirt this season. I will return for the 2026-27 season,” Gardiner said on Instagram. “I’m grateful to be supported and surrounded by amazing staff that’s allowing me to take my time during this process. This decision came down to me being 100% for my teammates, myself and my future.”
The medical redshirt gives the UCLA roster a bit more balance. Gardiner is a great talent off the bench but the Bruins already have Angela Dugalic and Sienna Betts coming off the bench. Next season, UCLA will have to replace their entire starting lineup and Gardiner’s presence would be very useful.
Last season, which was Gardiner’s first as a Bruin, she averaged 7.6 points per game and shot 39.5% from three. Gardiner joined the Bruins after two seasons with Oregon State, where she put up 11.6 points and 7.0 rebounds as a sophomore.
A lot of next year’s UCLA team will look different but a frontcourt pairing of the powerful Sienna Betts and the floor-stretching Gardiner is a good place to start for Cori Close.
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: UCLA forward Timea Gardiner announces she’s using a medical redshirt
Reporting by Dylan McNeill, UCLA Wire / UCLA Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
