Reports indicate that Drew Gordon, former NBA player and standout for the New Mexico Lobos, tragically passed away in a car accident in Portland on Thursday.
He was 33 years old and is the older brother of Aaron Gordon, the star forward for the Denver Nuggets.
Drew, who played nine NBA games for the Philadelphia 76ers, had a notable international career, with his most recent stint being with Rizing Zephyr Fukuoka in Japan in 2023.
NBA insider Shams Charania shared the awful news on X:
Drew Gordon has passed away in a car accident at 33 years old. Gordon played nine games for the 76ers in the 2014-15 season and has played professionally in US and abroad since college ball at New Mexico and UCLA. Drew is the older brother of Nuggets F Aaron Gordon. RIP
A highly regarded recruit out of San Jose, Gordon initially committed to UCLA before transferring to New Mexico for his final two college seasons, where he consistently delivered double-double performances.
His talent transcended borders, earning him recognition in various international leagues.
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Notably, he was selected for the 2015 LNB All-Star Game in France while playing for Champagne Châlons-Reims, named a Russian League All-Star in 2018 with BC Zenit Saint Petersburg, and secured an Italian Cup victory in 2014 with Dinamo Sassari.
Despite his international success, Gordon remained close to his brother Aaron and the Nuggets, often seen at their facilities, including during the 2024 NBA Playoffs.
His untimely passing is mourned by the basketball community, leaving behind a legacy of talent and dedication to the sport.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Aaron and the entire Gordon family.
