Gardner-Webb University Athletics

Former Gardner-Webb post player Stanley Easterling excelled with the Runnin' Bulldogs from 1985-1989, finishing his career ranked third in school history in both scoring and rebounding. Easterling finished his four seasons with 2,134 career points and 1,062 rebounds – one of only three men in Gardner-Webb's storied senior college basketball history to pour in more than 2,000 points and pull down at least 1,000 rebounds. Former NBA players George Adams and Eddie Lee Wilkins are the other names on that list. Easterling's paint production allowed the Runnin' Bulldogs to win 22 games and the NAIA District 26 Championship during his stellar junior year in 1987-88 under Hall of Fame head coach Jim Wiles. The 6-foot-8 Easterling averaged 18.9 points and 10.3 rebounds per game that season while shooting 58.5 percent from the floor. Two decades passed before another Gardner-Webb player averaged a double-double for a full season. He was named NAIA District 26 Player of the Year and earned All-America honors for the first time in 1987-88. Easterling was also named NAIA District 26 Player of the Year in 1986-87, averaging 18.3 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. Easterling averaged a career-best 19.0 points per game as a senior to earn All-America honors for a second time. He was one of the team's top players as a freshman as well, averaging 15.2 points and 7.7 rebounds, setting the stage for what was to come. He played in 120 career games at Gardner-Webb to finish with career averages of 17.8 points and 8.9 rebounds per game. He went on to a very successful professional career in the CBA and overseas.