La Salle High School has selected Jelani Gardner as its next boys basketball coach. La Salle athletic director Anthony Harris confirmed the news, though an official announcement won’t be made until school resumes from spring break. Harris said Gardner, a St. John Bosco assistant, will be introduced to parents in a couple weeks.

Gardner takes over Steve Goldstein who resigned after a near three-decade career at the helm.

The La Salle position was an attractive position, drawing strong interest from respectable area coaches that included Renaissance Academy Sid Cooke and former La Canada Muir coach Rocky Moore. According to sources, La Salle went after Pasadena coach Tim Tucker who was considered the top choice.

Gardner, a phenom at St. John Bosco and Cal, takes over a program that is in the rebuilding stages.

“I’m really happy with his selection,” Harris said. “He’s hungry. He has a great basketball game. We’re looking forward to the future of La Salle.”

That Gardner comes from a private school background had little to do with his selection.

“Not at all,” Harris said. “With his experience we felt like he was a good fit, his ability to really truly develop kids. We’re not St. John Bosco. We don’t want to be St. John Bosco. I think he’s a really good guy who will lead us in a good direction.

St. John Bosco is coming off an impressive season after reaching the finals of the CIF State Southern California Regional championship game.