Aaron Gordon

Selected to play in the 2013 McDonald’s All-American Game…Selected to play in the 2013 Jordan Brand Classic.

Travel Team: Oakland/Drew Gooden Soldiers

Junior season

Gordon, who averaged 22.9 points and 12.8 rebounds per game in leading Mitty to a second consecutive state Division II championship, was named Mr. Basketball, the state Player of the Year by Cal-Hi Sports. He becomes the first junior to receive the honor since Tyson Chandler from Dominguez-Compton in 2000. Jason Kidd was selected as a junior in 1991 from St. Joseph Notre Dame-Alameda. May 2011: Every time Aaron takes the court he looks more impressive, physically. Self-admittedly, he’s a tireless worker and it shows in an impressive muscular, but physically-lean frame. Honestly, he looks like the ideal small forward when just standing and waiting around. On the court, Aaron says his role is being the “energy guy” and that shows up in his game night in and night out. At the Nike EYBL in Los Angeles, while 2012’s Brandon Ashley was putting together perhaps his most dominating performance ever, Gordon was quietly piecing together a 19 point, 13 rebound game on 9-of-11 shooting. Gordon has all the physical tools inside and shows a tremendous knowledge of understanding rebounding angles. Offensively, he can jump out of the gym and uses his fast-twitch muscles to do things like grab five offensive boards on a single possession (as he did at the L.A. EYBL). Gordon’s jump shot does leave some things to still be desired, but he’s a young player with a ton of upside. He says he’s putting in the shots and can shoot consistently out to 18 feet, but doesn’t really get the opportunity much to shoot from the perimeter in AAU games because that’s not his role with the Soldiers. He’s a great team player with an excellent attitude and work ethic.

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November 2013: Arizona

Gordon has been Arizona’s “glue guy” in the first seven games of the season. The freshman star is nearly averaging a double-double with 12.1 points and 9.3 rebounds per game. In fact, he already has four double-doubles to his credit. What makes Gordon special is he’s equally effective on both ends of the floor. Defensively, he’s long and athletic, can defend multiple positions, and is a shot blocker. Offensively, Gordon is an efficient scorer in averaging 12.1 points on just 9.4 shots per game.