Drew Edward Gordon's Obituary
It's rare that a human can make an impact globally, but Drew Gordon did that by literally dribbling a basketball all over the world during his amazing and adventurous life.
Drew Edward Gordon was born on July 12, 1990, in San Jose, California and graced this Earth until May 30, 2024. He is survived by his loving wife Angela Gordon, and three sons, Jayden Gordon, 12, Zayne Gordon, 5 and Brody Gordon, 2. Drew is also survived by his mother Shelly Davis, father, Eddy Gordon, sister, Elise Gordon, and brother, Aaron Gordon. Drew joins his grandfather, Floyd “Pop” Davis, grandmothers Lula Gordon and Gale Davis, Uncle Bill Gordon and other loved ones who have passed.
Drew Gordon was a part of storied family lineage of basketball stars starting with his father at San Diego State, himself and his two siblings who all proudly spent time sporting their father’s beloved No. 32. Drew was an athletic forward who earned national prominence as a high school basketball legend at San Jose Mitty High School where he was honored in 2008 as a McDonald’s All-American. Moreover, during his youth he won a gold medal in shot put at the national Junior Olympics and was a standout ice hockey player. The highly decorated California native started his college career at the University of California at Los Angeles before completing it at the University of New Mexico. More than just an athlete, the 2012 Mountain West Conference Tournament’s Most Valuable Player was also one of 30 finalists for the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award. That honor was given to a Division I senior who displayed excellence in the community and the classroom, displayed character and was a competitor. Drew is also the holder of several records at UNM including a Pit Record of 23 rebounds in a single game and is top 10 in career rebounding at UNM in just two short years.
Drew Gordon realized his childhood dream of playing in the NBA by suiting up for nine games with the Philadelphia 76ers during the 2014-15 season and also played two seasons in the NBA’s G League. The 11-year pro basketball journey also took him all over the world to Serbia, Italy, Turkey, France, Lithuania, Poland, Ukraine, Russia and Japan. While playing for BC Budivelnyk in Kyiv in 2022, Drew was able to get his family out of Ukraine just before the Russian invasion reared its ugly head. Known for being a Double-Double machine, Drew reached incredible heights throughout his career including winning an Italian Cup with Dinamo Sassari in 2014 and becoming a Polish Champion with Zielona Góra in 2020. Also known abroad for his dunks, he became an All-Star in France and Ukraine and was one of the first Americans to reach the Russian All-Star Game in the VTB for three consecutive seasons. During his time playing in EuroCup, he was also the first player to ever have an eighteen-rebound double-double game.
“Drew Gordon was one of the best basketball players ever to come out of San Jose and the Bay Area,” said ESPN Andscape NBA writer Marc J. Spears, a San Jose native who knew Drew for years. “I know he took a lot of pride in the success of his NBA champion brother and sister that followed. No family has ever had a bigger impact on basketball in San Jose than the Gordon’s. I respected Drew even more for the great man he was, and his ability to persevere to make it to the NBA after taking a tough path to get there. He realized his NBA dream and had fans all over the world from his amazing pro career.”
Drew’s basketball path built a blueprint and foundation that helped his sister star at Mitty and Harvard University and his 2023 NBA champion brother at Mitty, the University of Arizona and in the NBA for the Orlando Magic and currently the Denver Nuggets. Post-basketball career, Drew Gordon was running an AAU basketball program, had launched a sports management company with his sister and planned to get a post-graduate degree. The handsome gentle giant was a loving and loyal husband to Angela, whom he met in middle school, and an amazing father to his boys. The Gordon’s resided on the Clackamas River in Oregon, where Drew loved to fish and swim in the summertime.
“Drew was larger than life in many ways,” his mother Shelly Davis said. “Standing almost 6-10, his physical presence was as big as his infectious personality. He was incredibly smart, observant and a natural leader amongst his peers. Witty, sarcastic and a strong but gentle teddy bear.” Said advisor Joe McLean “If you ever had a chance to receive one of his huge bear hugs or simply be in his presence, then you were blessed. He lived his life fearlessly and loved adventure.”
He was a dedicated, engaged and loving husband to Angela and father to his three beautiful sons. Drew deeply loved and protected his brother and sister and his mom and dad. He was a fiercely loyal and generous friend, mentor and advocate for his teammates, colleagues and best friends.
Drew Gordon was a giant on and off the basketball court all over the world. While 33 years isn’t a long time on this planet, it’s safe to say he more than had a storybook existence during his time here.
Rest in Peace, Drew. Your story will be told forever
#DG32 -
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
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