Former New Mexico standout Drew Gordon dies at 33

League: NCAA Basketball


Posted on: 31 May, 2024 at 06:46 AM

Former college standout Drew Gordon, the older brother of Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon, died Thursday, the University of New Mexico announced. He was 33.

According to a Clackamas County Sherrif's Office report, Drew Gordon was the driver of a "three-wheeled autocycle" that crossed the center line into an oncoming pickup truck in an unincorporated part of the county. Gordon died at the scene, according to the report, while two occupants of the pickup were transported to an area hospital "with non-life threatening injuries."

While the crash remains under investigation, impairment does not seem to be a factor in the crash, the report said.

Gordon was a 2008 McDonald's All-American at Archbishop Mitty High in San Jose, Calif., before attending UCLA for parts of two seasons and then playing two at New Mexico.





Gordon played in just 40 games for UCLA before deciding to transfer early in the 2009-10 season. He moved on to New Mexico and averaged 13.4 points and 10.8 rebounds in two seasons for the Lobos.

He was a first-team All-Mountain West choice in 2011-12 and also was named MVP when the Lobos won the 2012 Mountain West tournament.

Gordon wasn't selected in the NBA draft but eventually played in nine games for the Philadelphia 76ers during the 2014-15 season. He averaged 1.9 points, 2.0 rebounds and shot 42.1 percent from the field.

Gordon played internationally in multiple leagues between 2012-21. He formally retired in 2023.

Aaron Gordon, 28, is in his 10th NBA season. He helped the Nuggets win the NBA title last season.

--Field Level Media