Drew Gordon (1990–2024), former Philadelphia 76ers forward

Drew Gordon was a power forward with such basketball teams as the Philadelphia 76ers, as well as the older brother of Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon. 

• Died: May 30, 2024 (Who else died on May 30?) 
• Details of death: Died in Portland, Oregon of injuries sustained in a car accident at the age of 33. 
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Drew Gordon’s legacy 

Drew Gordon began receiving attention for his basketball skills as a member of the team at Archbishop Mitty High School in San Jose, California. He was widely honored in high school, including being named the 2007 Cal-Hi Sports Athlete of the Year. Targeted for recruiting by many colleges, he chose UCLA, where he played well yet clashed with his coach. 

Gordon played only two seasons for UCLA before transferring to the University of New Mexico. There, he stood out, ranked among the top college power forwards in the U.S. Graduating in 2012, he was expected to be an early NBA draft pick, but in a surprising turn of events, he was not selected at all by any squads. Though disappointed, he continued to play basketball, initially joining the NBA Summer League and signing with professional European teams in such countries as Serbia and Turkey. 

In 2014, Gordon had another shot at the NBA, signing with the Philadelphia 76ers. He played in nine games for the team before being waived, then returned to European basketball. He was playing in Ukraine before having to leave the country in 2022 due to its war with Russia, where Gordon also spent years playing. Most recently, he had signed with a Japanese team before retiring from basketball in 2023. 

Gordon on his European career 

“Me and my family have literally been able to travel the world and see things that most people wouldn’t be able to see, whether it be one of the big cities in Russia or Turkey or France, Greece, you name it. We’ve been able to go and be a part of that culture and that lifestyle.” –from a 2022 interview for Andscape 

Tributes to Drew Gordon 

Full obituary: Albuquerque Journal 

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