Aaron Gordon

Aaron Addison Gordon (born September 16, 1995)[1] is an American professional basketball player for the Orlando Magic of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played one year of college basketball for the University of Arizona before being selected by the Magic with the fourth overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft. Gordon has gained notoriety as one of the all-time greatest competitors in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest; In 2016, he lost a close matchup to Zach LaVine, and in 2020 he narrowly lost to Derrick Jones Jr.[2]

Aaron Gordon
Gordon with the Orlando Magic in 2014
No. 00 – Orlando Magic
PositionPower forward / Small forward
LeagueNBA
Personal information
Born (1995-09-16) September 16, 1995
San Jose, California
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
Listed weight235 lb (107 kg)
Career information
High schoolArchbishop Mitty
(San Jose, California)
CollegeArizona (2013–2014)
NBA draft2014 / Round: 1 / Pick: 4th overall
Selected by the Orlando Magic
Playing career2014–present
Career history
2014–presentOrlando Magic
Career highlights and awards
Stats  at NBA.com
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing the  United States
FIBA World U19 Cup
2013 Czech Republic U.S. National team

High school career

Gordon attended Archbishop Mitty High School in San Jose, California and started on the varsity basketball team for four years, winning two Division II state basketball championships in his sophomore and junior seasons. He led Mitty to its third straight state title game in his senior year, but his team lost in the inaugural Open Division final.

As a freshman in 2009–10, Gordon started in 28 of 41 games and averaged 11.8 points, 10.1 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game. He also competed on the school's track and field team as a thrower and played summer basketball for the Oakland Soldiers.

As a sophomore in 2010–11, Gordon helped his team win Mitty's first state title in men's basketball. His team also captured the WCAL regular season and playoff crowns, CCS Division II title and Nor-Cal championship. They finished with a 32–2 record and closed the season on a 20–0 winning streak. He started in all 34 games and averaged 16.4 points, 12.5 rebounds and 3.6 blocks per game. He scored 17 points and hauled in a state championship record 21 rebounds in the 2011 title game.

As a junior in 2011–12, Gordon averaged 22.9 points, 12.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.3 blocks per game.[3] In the state basketball tournament, he averaged 27.0 points per game before finding out he had been playing with mononucleosis. He was chosen as the California Mr. Basketball Player of the Year. The last junior to be Mr. Basketball in California was Tyson Chandler in 2000, and before him, Jason Kidd in 1991.[3]

Gordon completing an Alley oop from Aaron Harrison at the 2013 McDonald's All-American Boys Game

As a senior in 2012–13, Gordon averaged 21.6 points, a school-record 15.7 rebounds and 3.3 blocks per game in leading Archbishop Mitty to a 28–6 record and a runner-up finish in the CIF Open Division.[4]

Gordon committed to the University of Arizona on April 2, 2013, announcing his decision in a press conference before the 2013 McDonald's All-American Game.[5] After a 24-point, 8-rebound performance leading the West to a 110–99 victory, Gordon was named the game's MVP.[6]

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Aaron Gordon
F		 San Jose, CA Archbishop Mitty High School 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 210 lb (95 kg) Apr 2, 2013 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 96
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: #4   Rivals: #3  ESPN: #4
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "2013 Arizona Basketball Commits". Scout.com.
  • "ESPN". ESPN.com.
  • "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com.
  • "2013 Team Ranking". Rivals.com.

    College career

    At Arizona, on February 13, 2014, Gordon was named one of the 30 finalists for the Naismith College Player of the Year.[7] He was named to the All-Pac-12 first team,[8] as well as earning Pac-12 Freshman Player of the Year and Pac-12 All-Freshman team honors.

    On April 15, 2014, Gordon declared for the NBA draft, forgoing his final three years of college eligibility.[9]

    Professional career

    2014–15 season

    On June 26, 2014, Gordon was selected with the fourth overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft by the Orlando Magic.[10] On July 2, he signed with the Magic and joined them for the 2014 NBA Summer League.[11] After appearing in the first 11 games of the 2014–15 season, Gordon was ruled out indefinitely on November 16 after he fractured a bone in his left foot in the Magic's loss to the Washington Wizards the night before.[12] He returned to action on January 18, 2015 against the Oklahoma City Thunder after missing 32 games.[13] On April 4, he recorded his first career double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds in a 97–90 win over the Milwaukee Bucks.[14][15]

    2015–16 season

    In July 2015, Gordon re-joined the Magic for the 2015 NBA Summer League, where he averaged 21.7 points, 11.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.7 blocks in three games.[16] On November 4, 2015, he scored a career-high 19 points in a loss to the Houston Rockets.[17] On January 31, 2016, he tied his career high of 19 points and grabbed 14 rebounds in a 119–114 win over the Boston Celtics.[18] He went on to record 12 points and a career-high 16 rebounds the following night against the San Antonio Spurs.[19] During the 2016 NBA All-Star Weekend, Gordon was the runner-up to Zach LaVine in the Slam Dunk Contest. Their battle through two tie-breakers in the final round drew comparisons to the showdown between Michael Jordan and Dominique Wilkins in 1988. Gordon utilised Stuff the Magic Dragon, his team's 6½-ft tall mascot, in his dunks; his final dunk involved him jumping over Stuff while passing the ball under both legs.[20] On February 25, he had another 19-point outing in a 130–114 loss to the Golden State Warriors.[21] Three days later, he set a new career high with 22 points in a 130–116 win over the Philadelphia 76ers.[22] On April 13, in the Magic's season finale, Gordon tied his career high of 22 points in a 117–103 loss to the Charlotte Hornets.[23]

    2016–17 season
    Gordon with the Magic in March 2017

    On December 14, 2016, Gordon scored a career-high 33 points in a 113–108 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.[24] On February 18, 2017, he participated in his second consecutive Slam Dunk Contest, but failed to make it past the first round. On March 31, 2017, he scored 20 of his 32 points in the first half of the Magic's 117–116 loss to the Boston Celtics. He also had 16 rebounds in the game.[25] In the Magic's season finale on April 12, Gordon had 32 points and 12 rebounds in a 113–109 win over the Detroit Pistons.[26]

    2017–18 season

    On October 24, 2017, Gordon scored a career-high 41 points, including the go-ahead 3-pointer with 36 seconds remaining, to lift the Magic to a 125–121 win over the Brooklyn Nets.[27] On November 29, 2017, he had 40 points and 15 rebounds to help Orlando end a nine-game losing streak with a 121–108 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.[28] On December 30, 2017, he had a 39-point effort in a 117–111 loss to the Miami Heat.[29] Gordon missed nine games in February, including the All-Star Slam Dunk contest, with a strained left hip flexor.[30] On March 24, 2018, he had 29 points, 11 rebounds and a career-high eight assists in a 105–99 win over the Phoenix Suns.[31]

    2018–19 season

    On July 6, 2018, Gordon re-signed with the Magic.[32] In the Magic's season opener on October 17, Gordon had 26 points and 16 rebounds in a 104–101 win over the Miami Heat.[33] On November 18, he scored 20 of his 31 points in the first quarter of the Magic's 131–117 win over the New York Knicks.[34] On January 2, 2019, he had a then career-high nine assists in a 112–84 win over the Chicago Bulls.[35]

    2019–20 season

    Gordon was runner-up in the Slam Dunk Contest to Derrick Jones Jr. during the 2020 NBA All-Star Weekend. They both had perfect scores in their first two dunks in the second round, forcing an overtime round. After they both earned perfect scores on their initial dunks, Jones won by scoring a 48 after taking off just past the free throw line to complete a windmill dunk; Gordon received a 47 after dunking over 7-foot-5-inch (2.26 m) Tacko Fall.[36] On February 28, Gordon recorded his first career triple-double with 17 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists in a 136–125 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.[37]

    Career statistics
    Legend
      GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
     FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
     RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
     BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

    Regular season
    Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
    2014–15 Orlando 47817.0.447.271.7213.6.7.4.55.2
    2015–16 Orlando 783723.9.473.296.6686.51.6.8.79.2
    2016–17 Orlando 807228.7.454.288.7195.11.9.8.512.7
    2017–18 Orlando 585732.9.434.336.6987.92.31.0.817.6
    2018–19 Orlando 787833.8.449.349.7317.43.7.7.716.0
    2019–20 Orlando 626232.5.437.308.6747.73.7.8.614.4
    Career 40331428.6.448.319.7016.42.4.8.612.8

    Playoffs
    Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
    2019 Orlando 5532.8.468.400.5267.23.61.20.215.2
    Career 5532.8.468.400.5267.23.61.20.215.2

    College
    Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
    2013–14 Arizona 383831.2.495.356.4228.02.0.91.012.4

    National team career

    Gordon led Team USA to the 2011 FIBA Americas Under-16 Championship gold medal, with team-highs of 17.0 points, 11.2 rebounds and 3.2 blocks per game. He went on to earn MVP honors, while leading the United States to a gold medal at the 2013 FIBA Under-19 World Cup, in Prague, where he averaged team highs of 16.2 points and 6.2 rebounds per game, in addition to shooting 61.2 percent from the field. He was also named to the 2011–12 USA Developmental National Team, and participated at the 2010 USA Basketball Developmental National Team mini-camp.[4]

    Personal life

    Gordon is the son of former San Diego State basketball star Ed Gordon who is African American and Shelly Davis Gordon who is White American.[38][39] Gordon's great-great grandfather, a Native American Osage Indian, was seven feet tall.[40] Gordon's older brother, Drew, is also a professional basketball player. His older sister, Elise, played collegiately for the Harvard women's basketball team from 2010 to 2014. As an eight-year-old, Gordon qualified to compete in the 100- and 200-meter dashes at the Junior Olympics, but chose instead to play in a basketball tournament.[41]

    Gordon is currently the president of athlete acquisition for the sports psychology app, Lucid, introduced to him by his mental skills coach, Graham Betchart.[42]

    Gordon made his acting debut in Uncle Drew as the character Casper, which was released in June 2018.[43]

    Gordon releast his debut single "Pull Up" ft. Moe on the 7th April 2020.[44]

    Media figure and business interests

    Endorsements

    Gordon of the NBA's Orlando Magic has signed a partnership agreement with Chinese leading sports brand 361º In 2020. Gordon will serve as the new face of the company's basketball division. The multi-year partnership will include an Aaron Gordon signature shoe and apparel line as well as provide support for Aaron Gordons charitable initiatives and Foundational work.[45]

    Philanthropy

    Gordon, a co-winner of the 2019 Rich and Helen DeVos Community Enrichment award, recently made a financial contribution to the Homeless Education Fund at the Foundation for Orange County (Florida) Public Schools in hopes of helping children adversely affected by school districts cancelling classes in wake of the coronavirus pandemic sweeping the globe.[46]

    Awards and honors
    High school
    Gordon was MVP of the 2013 McDonald's All-American Boys Game.
    • 2013: USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year
    • 2013: FIBA Under-19 World Cup MVP
    • 2013: McDonald's All-American Game MVP
    • Jordan Brand All-American (2013)
    • 2× California Mr. Basketball (2012, 2013)
    • 2× CIF State champion (2011, 2012)
    • 2× CIF State Division II champion (2011, 2012)
    • 3× CIF Northern California champion (2011–2013)
    • CIF Northern California Open Division champion (2013)
    • 2× CIF Northern California Division II champion (2011, 2012)
    • 4× CIF CCS champion (2010–2013)
    • CIF CCS Open Division champion (2013)
    • 3× CIF CCS Division II champion (2010–2012)
    • MaxPreps.com All-American First Team (2013)
    • San Jose Mercury News Player of the Year (2013)
    • San Jose Mercury News First Team (2013)
    • Cal-Hi Sports Bay Area CCS Player of the Year (2013)
    • 3× WCAL champion (2011–2013)
    • 3× Ed Fennelly WCAL Player of the Year Award (2011–2013)
    • 3× All-WCAL First Team (2011–2013)
    • All-WCAL Second Team (2010)
    College
    • Pac-12 Freshman Student-Athlete of the Year (2014)
    • Pac-12 All-Tournament Team (2014)
    • AP Honorable Mention (2014)
    • NCAA Tournament's West Regional All-Tournament Team (2014)
    • Third team All-America – Sporting News (2014)
    • USBWA All-District Team (2014)
    • NABC All-District Second Team (2014)
    • All-Pac-12 First Team (2014)
    • Pac-12 All-Freshman Team (2014)
    • Pac-12 Freshman Player of the Year (2014)
    • Pac-12 All-Rookie First Team (2014)

    References
    1. "FIBA Americas U16 Championship for Men (2011) | FIBA Europe". www.fibaeurope.com.
    2. https://www.nba.com/magic/nevermind-result-aaron-gordons-2020-dunk-contest-performance-greatest-ever-20200215#:~:text=Jr.,the%20judges%20gave%20a%2047.
    3. "Mr. Basketball 2012: Aaron Gordon". ESPN.com. April 17, 2012.
    4. "Aaron Gordon - Men's Basketball". University of Arizona Athletics.
    5. Telep, Dave (April 2, 2013). "Aaron Gordon commits to Arizona". ESPN.com. Retrieved April 2, 2013.
    6. "Aaron Gordon earns MVP at McDonald's All-America game". SI.com. April 4, 2013. Retrieved April 10, 2013.
    7. "2013–14 Men's Naismith Trophy Midseason 30". NaismithAwards.com. February 13, 2014. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
    8. "2013–14 Pac-12 Conference Men's Basketball Honors". Pac-12.com. March 10, 2014. Archived from the original on March 11, 2014.
    9. "Gordon, Johnson declare for NBA Draft". NBA.com. April 15, 2014. Retrieved April 15, 2014.
    10. Denton, John (June 26, 2014). "Magic Draft Gordon at No. 4; Trade for Payton". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
    11. "Magic Sign Gordon and Payton". NBA.com (Press release). Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. July 2, 2014. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
    12. Denton, John (November 16, 2014). "Gordon Out Indefinitely After Fracturing Bone in Foot". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
    13. "Hot-shooting helps Thunder blow past Magic, 127–99". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. January 18, 2015. Archived from the original on January 21, 2015. Retrieved January 20, 2015.
    14. "Harris, Vucevic lead Magic past Bucks, 97–90". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. April 4, 2015. Archived from the original on April 10, 2015. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
    15. Denton, John (April 5, 2015). "Aaron Gordon Looks Like Man on a Mission to Finish Rookie Season". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
    16. Robbins, Josh. "Gordon, Hezonja boosted the Magic's optimism at summer league". orlandosentinel.com.
    17. "Postgame Report: Magic vs. Rockets (11/4/15)". Orlando Magic.
    18. "Postgame Report: Magic vs. Celtics (1/31/16)". Orlando Magic.
    19. "Magic's Aaron Gordon: Career-high in rebounds versus Spurs". CBSSports.com.
    20. "Zach LaVine wins slam dunk contest in battle with Aaron Gordon". ESPN.com. February 14, 2016. Archived from the original on February 14, 2016.
    21. "Curry has 51, hits 3-pointer in record 128th straight game". Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
    22. "Big Magic start dooms 76ers to eighth straight loss, 130–116". Archived from the original on October 29, 2016. Retrieved February 29, 2016.
    23. "Hornets beat Magic 117–103, will face Miami in 1st round". Archived from the original on October 29, 2016. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
    24. "Magic vs. Clippers: Postgame Report". Orlando Magic.
    25. "Magic vs. Celtics - Game Recap - March 31, 2017 - ESPN". ESPN.com.
    26. "Pistons vs. Magic - Game Recap - April 12, 2017 - ESPN". ESPN.com.
    27. "Gordon, Fournier rally Magic to 125-121 win over Nets". ESPN.com. October 24, 2017. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
    28. "Gordon has 40 and 15, Magic beat Thunder to end 9-game skid". ESPN.com. November 29, 2017. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
    29. "Johnson, Dragic lead Heat comeback in win over Magic". ESPN.com. December 30, 2017. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
    30. "Burke leads Knicks past Magic to end 8-game losing streak". ESPN.com. February 22, 2018. Retrieved February 22, 2018.
    31. "Gordon helps Magic hold off Suns 105-99". ESPN.com. March 24, 2018. Retrieved March 24, 2018.
    32. "Magic Re-Sign Aaron Gordon". NBA.com. July 6, 2018. Retrieved July 6, 2018.
    33. "Bamba, Gordon lead Magic over Heat 104-101". ESPN.com. October 17, 2018. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
    34. "Gordon, Vucevic lead Magic as Knicks lose 5th straight". ESPN.com. November 18, 2018. Retrieved November 18, 2018.
    35. "Vucevic leads Magic to 112-84 rout of Bulls". ESPN.com. January 2, 2019. Retrieved January 3, 2019.
    36. Chiang, Anthony (February 16, 2020). "All-Star Saturday turned into the Heat's night. Inside big nights for Jones Jr. and Adebayo". Miami Herald. Retrieved February 16, 2020.
    37. "Magic's Aaron Gordon: Posts first career triple-double". www.cbssports.com.
    38. "Competitive Gordon Family Excels on Court | Sports | The Harvard Crimson". www.thecrimson.com.
    39. Santana, Marco. "Orlando Magic's Aaron Gordon launches computer coding program for school kids". orlandosentinel.com.
    40. Whitley, David. "Magic's new kid sounds ready to grow up". OrlandoSentinel.com.
    41. "O'Neil: Arizona's Gordon handling freshman pressure". ESPN.com. January 22, 2014.
    42. Giles, Matthew (June 23, 2016). "MEET THE SPORTS PSYCHOLOGIST TRAINING THE MINDS OF THE NBA'S TOP DRAFT PROSPECTS". Vice.com. Archived from the original on April 24, 2017. Retrieved April 1, 2017.
    43. Debruge, Peter (June 19, 2018). "Film Review: 'Uncle Drew'". Variety. Penske Business Media. Retrieved June 20, 2018.
    44. "Aaron Gordon (Ft. Moe (Rapper)) – Pull Up" – via genius.com.
    45. Degrees, 361. "Aaron Gordon Officially Signs Deal with 361º". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved October 30, 2020.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
    46. "Aaron Gordon Donates to Foundation for OCPS' Homeless Education Fund". Orlando Magic. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
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