As CBS Sports has reported, Drew Gordon, former Philadelphia 76er and brother of Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon, tragically died in a car crash on Thursday, May 30th’s night, in Portland, Oregon. He was 33 years old. Gordon's death has left the basketball community mourning the loss of a talented player who had a diverse and impactful career both in the United States and abroad.
Drew Gordon, a native of San Jose, California, made his mark early in basketball. He played four years at Archbishop Mitty High School, earning a spot among the top 45 players in Rivals’ Class of 2008. His impressive performance in high school led him to UCLA, where he played two seasons before transferring to the University of New Mexico.
At New Mexico, Gordon truly shined. He averaged a double-double during both his junior and senior seasons, scoring 13.7 points and grabbing 11.1 rebounds per game in his final year. His outstanding play helped the Lobos secure a Mountain West Conference title, and he was named the conference tournament’s MVP. Additionally, he earned All-MWC First Team honors and led his team to the third round of the NCAA Tournament during the 2011-12 season.
Despite his college success, Gordon went undrafted in the 2012 NBA Draft. However, he persevered, playing for the Dallas Mavericks in the Summer League before signing with the Philadelphia 76ers for the 2014-15 season. He appeared in nine games for the 76ers before being waived in December 2014.
Gordon’s professional career extended beyond the NBA. He played for various G League teams, including the Long Island Nets, and numerous international teams. His career highlights included being named an All-Star in France in 2015. Gordon played his final professional game during the 2022-23 season in Japan before announcing his retirement last summer on Instagram. In his heartfelt post, he thanked basketball for everything it had given him, stating he gave the sport his heart, soul, blood, sweat, and tears.
Gordon's untimely death has left a significant void in the basketball community. His agent, Calvin Andrews, confirmed the news to ESPN, highlighting the loss of a player who had a profound impact on and off the court.