The Eric Gordon Story: From Indiana Prodigy to NBA Veteran
Eric Ambrose Gordon Jr., born on December 25, 1988, is a Bahamian-American professional basketball player who most recently played for the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA. Gordon's journey through basketball is a testament to his skill and adaptability. From his early days in Indianapolis to his professional career, Gordon has consistently demonstrated a passion for the game.
Early Life and High School Career
Born in Indianapolis, Gordon's basketball journey began at the young age of four at the Jewish Community Center. He quickly transitioned from soccer to basketball, finding his passion on the court. By age seven, he was already playing competitive basketball at the Municipal Gardens.
Gordon attended Fox Hill Elementary School before moving on to Northview Middle School and then North Central High School, where he played varsity basketball for all four years. His senior year was particularly memorable. North Central's 2007 game against Loyola Academy, featuring Michael Jordan's sons, was broadcast on ESPN, where Gordon scored a record 43 points. He went on to score 50 points twice more that season, leading North Central to the Indiana 4A title game. Although they lost to E'Twaun Moore, Angel Garcia, and East Chicago Central, Gordon's individual performance was remarkable. He averaged 29 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 3.3 assists, while shooting 57.0% from the field, 77.9% from the free-throw line, and 46.2% from three-point range. He was named Indiana's "Mr. Basketball" for 2007 and a McDonald's All-American.
During the summer, Gordon participated in numerous AAU tournaments, Adidas Superstar camps, and Big Time in Las Vegas, further honing his skills and gaining exposure.
Recruitment and Controversy
Gordon's recruitment process was marked by significant drama. He initially committed to Illinois in November 2005 but later changed his commitment to Indiana in October 2006. This decision was influenced by Indiana's hiring of Kelvin Sampson as head coach, who actively recruited Gordon.
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The switch to Indiana drew sharp criticism from Illinois fans. Eric Sr. stated in October 2006 that his son had received death threats as a result of his decision, but his son later stated that Illinois fans had only said they did not want the younger Gordon to be successful. When Gordon and Indiana played Illinois in Champaign on February 7, 2008, he was met with loud booing and taunting throughout the game. The Gordon family's "Got Gordon?" T-shirts further fueled the animosity.
College Career at Indiana University
Gordon attended Indiana University Bloomington (IU), where he played shooting guard for the Hoosiers for one year. He planned to study sports management. During his time at IU, Gordon achieved numerous accolades. He was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year and earned third-team All-American honors. He became IU's all-time leading freshman scorer, setting a record at IU and in the Big Ten with 669 points.
He was a candidate for the Wooden Award and Naismith Award and was named second-team All-American for CBSSports.com. On March 10, 2008, Gordon was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year and to the First Team of the Big Ten Conference by the coaches and media, along with his teammate D. J. White.
NBA Career
Los Angeles Clippers (2008-2011)
Gordon was drafted with the seventh pick in the 2008 NBA draft by the Los Angeles Clippers. He made a strong impression in his first NBA Summer League game, scoring 23 points. However, he injured his hamstring shortly after. Despite the injury, Gordon showcased his offensive capabilities during the pre-season, scoring 33 points in a game against the Sacramento Kings.
On January 23, he set a Clippers franchise record for most points scored by a rookie with 41 points. His exceptional performance earned him the NBA Western Conference Rookie of the Month award for January. He averaged 16.1 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.0 steals in 34.3 minutes per game, ranking as the third-leading scorer among all rookies.
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New Orleans Hornets/Pelicans (2011-2016)
On December 14, 2011, the Clippers traded Gordon, Chris Kaman, Al-Farouq Aminu, and a 2012 first-round pick to the New Orleans Hornets in exchange for Chris Paul and two future second-round picks. In his debut game with the Hornets, Gordon scored 20 points, grabbed 4 rebounds, and dished out 3 assists, including the game-winning shot against the Phoenix Suns.
However, a pre-existing knee injury was aggravated during that game. Initially diagnosed as a bone bruise, further examination revealed cartilage damage in his right knee. Gordon underwent arthroscopic surgery on February 14, 2012, and was sidelined for six weeks. He finished the season with 9 games played, averaging 20.6 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game.
Lingering knee problems affected Gordon's performance in subsequent seasons. Team doctors placed him on strict restrictions, limiting his playing time to avoid overworking his knee. Despite these limitations, he led the Hornets in scoring during the 2012-13 season, averaging 17.0 points per game.
Over the next few seasons, Gordon continued to be a key contributor for the Pelicans, showcasing his scoring ability and three-point shooting. He faced various injuries, including a left shoulder injury in November 2014, which sidelined him for several games. Despite these setbacks, he had a career year from beyond the three-point line in the 2014-15 season, shooting 44.8 percent.
In January 2016, Gordon suffered a hand injury, which required surgery and sidelined him for several weeks. He returned to action in late February.
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Houston Rockets (2016-2023)
On July 9, 2016, Gordon signed a four-year, $53 million contract with the Houston Rockets. He made his debut for the Rockets on October 26, scoring 19 points in a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. Gordon quickly established himself as a key player off the bench, providing scoring and three-point shooting.
Throughout the 2016-17 season, Gordon had several notable performances, including scoring 26 points against the Portland Trail Blazers and making a career-high eight three-pointers against the Los Angeles Lakers. On January 2, 2017, he scored a season-high 31 points against the Washington Wizards. On February 18, Gordon edged out Kyrie Irving to win the Three-Point Contest during the NBA All-Star Weekend.
Gordon's 180 three-pointers in 49 games off the bench during the 2016-17 season set an NBA record. He finished the season averaging 16.2 points in 75 games.
In subsequent seasons with the Rockets, Gordon continued to be a valuable contributor. On October 25, 2017, he scored a season-high 29 points and hit the game-winning buzzer-beating 3-pointer against the Philadelphia 76ers. On December 18, he scored 33 points against the Utah Jazz. On September 4, 2019, Gordon signed a four-year, $75.6 million contract extension with the Rockets. On January 27, 2020, Gordon scored a career-high 50 points in a win against the Utah Jazz.
Phoenix Suns (2023)
On February 9, 2023, Gordon was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers. He was waived on June 28, 2023. On July 12, 2023, Gordon signed with the Phoenix Suns.
Philadelphia 76ers (2024-2025)
On July 10, 2024, Gordon signed with the Philadelphia 76ers. He played in 39 games (13 starts) for the 76ers during the 2024-25 season, averaging 6.8 points, 1.2 rebounds, and 1.7 assists.
International Career
Gordon won a gold medal with the U.S. national team at the 2010 FIBA World Championship.
Personal Life
Gordon's mother, Denise, is a native of Nassau, The Bahamas. Denise met Gordon Sr. at Liberty University.
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