Drew Gordon, a former NBA player and older brother of Denver Nuggets star Aaron Gordon, lost his life in a car accident in Portland, Oregon, his agent Calvin Andrews announced to the press on Thursday. He was 33. His wife, Angela, and their two sons, Zane and Brody, are still alive.
Drew Gordon played nine games with the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2014โ15 season after previously playing professional basketball in Serbia, Sardinia, and Turkey.
He is a California native who helped the Monarchs of Archbishop Mitty High School win three West Catholic Athletic League titles before going on to play collegiate basketball for the University of California, the Los Angeles Bruins, and the New Mexico Lobos.
Following his tenure with the 76ers, Gordon went on to play for the NBA G League’s Delaware 87ers and Long Island Nets. He also visited France, Lithuania, Russia, Poland, and Ukraine before signing with the Rizing Zephyr Fukuoka of Japan in 2022. He declared his retirement from basketball in July.
“Thank you, basketball for all you’ve given me! I’ve given you my all throughout the years, and I’m retiring during my jersey year. Thank you to all of my fans, friends, and family who have encouraged me during my journey!! This is the next chapter! “Goodbye 32, hello 33,” Gordon said in a post on X.
In October 2014, Drew Gordon described himself, his sister Elise, and his then-19-year-old brother as a “tight-knit group” that “always tried to include” Aaron Gordon.
“He’s five years younger than me, but I made him mind his Ps and Qs when he was coming up,” Drew Gordon said of his brother, who was the youngest player in the NBA entering the 2014-15 season.
He has truly excelled at understanding himself and finding his path, and our family couldn’t be prouder of how he has developed into such a remarkable young man.
Aaron Gordon, whose Orlando Magic fell against Drew Gordon’s 76ers in a preseason game before the 2014-15 season, that he wouldn’t “hear the end” of the outcome from his brother.
Drew Gordon said that it had been a “lifelong goal” for them to perform on the “same stage at the highest level.” He said, “Today, even though it’s preseason, it’s being accomplished.”
“1990โ2024, Drew Gordon,” the tribute said in big letters. The Denver Nuggets team is deeply saddened to hear about Drew Gordon’s tragic loss. Drew was much too young to go, but his legacy will live on through his three beautiful children and all of his loved ones.
They said, “Our hearts are with Aaron and the Gordon family during this extremely difficult time. “His wife, Angela, and their three children are still alive. D left us much too soon, but his memory will be through his three wonderful children and all those who loved him,” the statement read.