Aaron Gordon

From San Jose state champion to Denver's 2023 NBA champion, Gordon blends elite athleticism with relentless defensive energy.

Aaron Gordon is an American professional basketball player for the Denver Nuggets, born September 16, 1995, in San Jose, California. Before joining Denver, he was selected fourth overall by the Orlando Magic in the 2014 NBA draft after a standout year with the Arizona Wildcats, where they won the Pac-12 regular season title and reached the Elite Eight of the 2014 NCAA tournament. At Archbishop Mitty High School, Gordon led his team to two state championships and earned California Mr. Basketball honors in both his junior and senior years. His professional journey includes being a runner-up in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest twice, losing close matchups to Zach LaVine in 2016 and Derrick Jones Jr. in 2020.

Quick Facts

Position: Power forward; small forward
League: NBA
Team: Denver Nuggets
Born: 16 September 1995
Birthplace: San Jose, California, U.S.
High school: Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, California)
College: Arizona (2013–2014)
Draft round: 1

Lore & Background

Gordon's roots trace back to San Diego State player Ed Gordon and Shelly Davis Gordon; he has claimed his paternal great-great-grandfather was a 7-foot-tall Osage Indian. His father once tried out for the New England Patriots as a tight end with no prior experience before playing pro basketball in Mexico, while his brother Drew became a pro player and sister Elise played collegiately at Harvard. At Archbishop Mitty High School, Gordon started 28 of 41 games as a freshman, averaging 11.8 points and 10.1 rebounds. As a sophomore, he helped secure the school's first boys' basketball state title with a 32-2 record, setting a championship record with 21 rebounds in the final. He repeated as California Mr. Basketball after leading Mitty to their second title in 2012 and again in his senior year, though they fell short of another Open Division crown against Mater Dei.

Reader's Guide

Gordon's professional path includes re-signing with Orlando on a four-year, $80 million deal in July 2018. He made his playoff debut on April 13, 2019, recording ten points and ten rebounds in a series against the Toronto Raptors. During the 2019-20 season, he hit a season-high 32 points against Phoenix on December 4, 2019, before finishing as the Slam Dunk Contest runner-up to Derrick Jones Jr. He was traded to the Nuggets in 2021, where he won his first NBA championship in 2023. His defensive versatility and high-energy play were key components of Denver's title run. On February 18, 2017, he participated in his second consecutive Slam Dunk Contest but failed to advance past the first round. In 2016, his battle with Zach LaVine in the final round drew comparisons to Michael Jordan and Dominique Wilkins in 1988.

Did You Know?

In the 2011 high school state championship game, Aaron Gordon broke the record by grabbing 21 rebounds.
During his 2016 Slam Dunk Contest victory run against Zach LaVine, Gordon utilized the Magic's mascot, Stuff, in his dunks.
Gordon finished his freshman year at Arizona with a school-record-breaking 303 rebounds.
On January 17, 2020, Archbishop Mitty High School retired Aaron Gordon's number 32.

Frequently Asked Questions

How did Aaron Gordon join the Denver Nuggets?

After spending several seasons with the Orlando Magic, Gordon was acquired by Denver through a trade that sent him to Colorado in exchange for other assets. This move allowed him to immediately integrate into a championship-contending roster alongside Nikola Jokić.

What is Aaron Gordon's biggest achievement?

His crowning accomplishment came in 2023 when he helped lead the Denver Nuggets to their first-ever NBA Championship title. This victory marked the culmination of his journey from a decorated high school player in California to an elite professional champion.