Drew Gordon, former NBA player and brother of Nuggets star Aaron Gordon, dies in crash at 33

Drew Gordon, the older brother of Denver Nuggets star and NBA champion Aaron Gordon, died in a crash in Portland on Thursday, May 30. Per TMZ, Gordon collided with a GMC Sierra pickup while driving a three-wheel Vanderhall Carmel.

Drew, who also played professional basketball, was pronounced dead at the scene, and two occupants of the GMC sustained non-life-threatening injuries. They also received treatment at a hospital. Preliminary investigation established that Gordon’s vehicle collided with the GMC after the three-wheeled roadster drove beyond the center line, officials said.

Drew, 33, was a basketball prodigy in his high school days. He also played college basketball at UCLA and the University of New Mexico. And besides playing for the Philadelphia 76ers and in the G League, Gordon also had stints in Europe. He retired just last year.

Drew’s brother Aaron has yet to comment on his passing publicly, but his team released a statement on Friday to commiserate with his family. “The Denver Nuggets organization is devastated to learn about the tragic passing of Drew Gordon,” the Denver Nuggets said in the statement. 

“Drew was far too young to leave this world, but his legacy will forever live on through his three beautiful children and all of his loved ones. Our hearts are with Aaron and the Gordon family during this extremely difficult time.”

Besides his children, Drew is also survived by his wife.