Gardner waived by Chicago Bulls

The Chicago Bulls waived former Missouri star Thomas Gardner on Friday after he appeared in four of the team's first 16 games, according to the Bulls' website. Gardner averaged 5.3 points on 39 percent shooting and shot 25 percent from 3-point range.

The 6-foot-5 guard left Missouri after his breakout junior season in 2005-06 and played a season in Belgium before signing with the Bulls this season. Forward Demetris Nichols was signed to replace Gardner on the Bulls' lineup.

Gardner's best performance was in a 91-112 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Nov. 20. He played 27 minutes and scored 14 points on 6-for-16 shooting. The Bulls elected for change after starting a disappointing 6-11 one season after reaching the NBA's Eastern Conference Semifinals.

Missouri still has three former players active on NBA rosters. They are: guard Keyon Dooling of the Orlando Magic, forward Linas Kleiza of the Denver Nuggets and guard Kareem Rush of the Indiana Pacers.