Drew Gordon facts for kids
Gordon with UCLA in 2009
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| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 12, 1990 San Jose, California, U.S. |
| Died | May 30, 2024 (aged 33) Portland, Oregon, U.S. |
| High school | Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, California) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) |
| Listed weight | 245 lb (111 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College |
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| NBA Draft | 2012 / Undrafted |
| Pro career | 2012–2023 |
| Career history | |
| 2012–2013 | Partizan |
| 2013 | Dinamo Sassari |
| 2013 | Banvit |
| 2013–2014 | Dinamo Sassari |
| 2014 | Philadelphia 76ers |
| 2014–2015 | Delaware 87ers |
| 2015–2016 | Champagne Châlons-Reims |
| 2016–2017 | Lietuvos rytas |
| 2017–2018 | Zenit |
| 2018–2019 | Long Island Nets |
| 2019–2020 | Zielona Góra |
| 2020–2021 | Avtodor |
| 2021 | Lokomotiv Kuban |
| 2021–2022 | Budivelnyk |
| 2022–2023 | Rizing Zephyr Fukuoka |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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Drew Edward Gordon (born July 12, 1990 – died May 30, 2024) was a talented American basketball player. He played as a power forward and center. Drew started his college basketball journey with the UCLA Bruins. Later, he moved to the New Mexico Lobos. At New Mexico, he became a key player. He was known for his strong presence near the basket. He earned many awards for his great playing. Drew was also the older brother of Aaron Gordon. Aaron plays for the Denver Nuggets.
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Drew Gordon's Early Life and High School Career
Drew Gordon grew up in San Jose, California. He went to Archbishop Mitty High School. He was a top player on the basketball team for four years. Drew helped his team win three championships.
During his senior year, Drew averaged 17.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. He was invited to play in the 2008 Jordan Brand Classic. He was also named the MVP of the Les Schwab Invitational. In his junior year, he averaged 15.1 points and 10.4 rebounds. He also had 4.1 blocks per game. Drew was named the San Jose Mercury News Player of the Year in 2007. He also received other honors, like being a first-team All-California selection.
As a sophomore, Drew averaged 14.7 points and 10.1 rebounds. He was named the Cal State Sophomore Player of the Year. In his freshman year, he averaged 9.5 points and 9.2 rebounds. He was recognized as the CIF Central Coast Section Freshman of the Year.
Drew Gordon's College Basketball Journey
Drew Gordon was a highly sought-after player. He chose to play for UCLA. He picked UCLA over many other famous basketball programs. Experts ranked him as one of the best power forwards in the country.
Playing for UCLA (2008–2010)
Freshman Year (2008–2009)
As a freshman, Drew played in 34 out of 35 games. He missed only one game due to a concussion. He scored 14 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in a game against Wyoming. This was his first "double-double" (scoring double digits in two stats). He averaged 3.6 points and 3.4 rebounds per game. Drew was good at getting offensive rebounds and blocking shots. He also made 56.5% of his shots.
Sophomore Year (2009–2010)
In his sophomore year, Drew started six games for UCLA. He averaged 11.2 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. He had a great game with 19 points and 6 rebounds against CSU Bakersfield. He also scored 18 points and 9 rebounds against Pepperdine. Drew later decided to leave UCLA. This was a mutual decision. It was felt that his playing style did not fit the team's system.
Playing for New Mexico (2010–2012)
After leaving UCLA, Drew joined the University of New Mexico. He felt that New Mexico's style of play suited him well. He had to wait to play due to transfer rules.
Junior Year (2010–2011)
Drew became eligible to play in December 2010. He started the last 19 games for the Lobos. He averaged 13.0 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. He led the team in rebounding in 21 games. He scored double digits in 22 games. Drew had some amazing performances. He scored 23 points and had 13 rebounds against San Diego State. He also grabbed 23 rebounds in a game against Utah. He was named Mountain West Conference Player of the Week twice. He was also named the Mountain West Conference Newcomer of the Year.
Senior Year (2011–2012)
In his senior year, Drew was considered a potential NBA draft pick. He was named to the Wooden Preseason Top 50 list. This honor goes to the best college basketball players. He was also chosen for the Mountain West Preseason All-Conference Team. Drew started his senior season strong. He had eight double-doubles in his first 14 games. He had 13 points and 20 rebounds against Oklahoma State. He also scored 23 points and 19 rebounds against New Mexico State. These performances earned him more Player of the Week awards.
Drew Gordon's Professional Basketball Career
Drew Gordon was not chosen in the 2012 NBA draft. However, he joined the Dallas Mavericks for the NBA Summer League.
He then began his professional career overseas. In August 2012, he signed with Partizan Belgrade in Serbia. He played 10 games in the Euroleague. He averaged 9.1 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. Later, he played for Dinamo Basket Sassari in Italy.
In 2013, Drew played for Banvit B.K. in Turkey. He returned to Dinamo Sassari in Italy in December 2013.
Time in the NBA (2014)
In July 2014, Drew joined the Philadelphia 76ers for the NBA Summer League. He signed with the 76ers in October 2014. He played in nine NBA games. He made his NBA debut on November 13, 2014. He scored two points and had five rebounds in that game. He was later waived by the 76ers. He then played for their minor league team, the Delaware 87ers.
Playing in Europe and Asia
Drew continued his career playing for many teams around the world.
- In 2015, he signed with Champagne Châlons-Reims Basket in France. He was named an All-Star in the French League.
- In 2016, he joined BC Lietuvos rytas in Lithuania.
- In 2017, he signed with B.C. Zenit Saint Petersburg in Russia.
- In 2018, he briefly signed with the Brooklyn Nets. He then played for their G League team, the Long Island Nets.
- In 2019, he played for Basket Zielona Góra in Poland.
- In 2020, he signed with BC Avtodor in Russia.
- In 2021, he joined PBC Lokomotiv-Kuban also in Russia.
- Later in 2021, he played for BC Budivelnyk in Ukraine.
- In 2022, he signed with Rizing Zephyr Fukuoka in Japan.
On July 12, 2023, Drew Gordon announced his retirement from professional basketball.
Drew Gordon's Personal Life
Drew Gordon was married and had three children. He passed away in a car accident in Portland, Oregon, on May 30, 2024. He was 33 years old.
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