Former Philadelphia 76ers power forward Drew Gordon’s life was cut tragically short on Thursday. Drew, just 33 years old, met his untimely demise in a devastating car crash in Portland, Oregon, as confirmed by his agent and echoed by the Denver Nuggets, home team of his brother Aaron Gordon. The sports world reels from the loss, ESPN noting the unexpected tragedy of losing such a young talent.
Drew Gordon, a towering figure both on and off the court, had a basketball journey that read like a gritty underdog story. Despite being overlooked in the 2012 NBA draft, Gordon didn’t let this setback pin him down. He hustled onto the Dallas Mavericks’ Summer League squad, as CBS News recalled, marking the start of his relentless chase for basketball glory.
💔 We are heartbroken over the passing of Drew Gordon. A two-time all-conference forward, he helped lead us to the 2012 Mountain West title. pic.twitter.com/tdleKSxTOF
— Lobo Basketball (@UNMLoboMBB) May 31, 2024
The Philadelphia 76ers gave Gordon his big shot in the 2014-2015 season. Although his tenure was brief, appearing in only nine games, it was a dream fulfilled. Post-NBA, Drew’s passion for the game took him across the Atlantic. European basketball, booming with talent, welcomed him with open arms. Gordon shone brightly there, bagging a player of the week award and dazzling at the 2015 LNB All-Star Game in France.
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.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 31, 2024
Just as the curtains were drawing on his vibrant 16-year career, with retirement announced in July 2023, tragedy struck. Drew’s journey, marked by dribbles, dunks, and determination, ended far from the basketball courts he dominated.
RIP DREW GORDON 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/58jF4qeFYu
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) May 31, 2024
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The silence from Aaron Gordon, Drew’s younger brother and a key player in the Nuggets’ 2023 championship run, speaks volumes of the grief that shadows the Gordon family. Drew leaves behind a loving wife, Angela, and three children, his legacy etched not just in the record books but in the hearts of those he touched.
Drew Gordon’s death adds to a somber list of athletes whose lives have been claimed by the road. From Geane Herrera, the former UFC fighter, to Kelvin Kiptum, the marathon marvel, the tales of potential unfulfilled on the asphalt are becoming all too common. As the sports community mourns, questions about road safety for athletes might once again come to the fore.