Drew Gordon , a former UCLA and New Mexico center who went on to play for the Philadelphia 76ers, died in a car accident Thursday in Portland, Ore. He was 33. Gordon grew up in San Jose and was a McDonald’s All-American at Archbishop Mitty High School.
He played two seasons each for the Bruins and Lobos before a professional career that also included stints in the NBA’s G League and numerous leagues overseas. His younger brother, Aaron Gordon , is a starting forward for the Denver Nuggets . Drew Gordon was in attendance for a number of Nuggets games this season.
“Drew was far too young to leave this world, but his legacy will live on through his three beautiful children and all of his loved ones,” the Nuggets posted on X on Thursday night. “Our hearts are with Aaron and the Gordon family during this extremely difficult time.” As a freshman at UCLA during the 2008-09 season, the 6-foot-9 Gordon averaged 3.
6 points and 3.4 rebounds in 34 games off the bench. He was the Bruins’ starting center for the first six games of his sophomore season — averaging 11.
2 points, 5.3 rebounds and two blocks a game — before leaving the program abruptly upon mutual agreement after butting heads with then-coach Ben Howland . “Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Drew Gordon, a former UCLA forward who has passed away at the age of 33,” the UCLA men’s basketball program posted on X on Thursday night.
Gordon transferred to New Mexico and found his fit with the.