The Gordon family was celebrating another incredible moment, Aaron Gordon’s game-winning buzzer-beater in Game 4 of the Nuggets-Clippers playoff series, when that joy was overcast by the absence of someone who once lived for moments like that. As the family cheered from a car outside LAX, watching Aaron’s heroics on a phone screen, Angela Gordon, his sister-in-law, saw something deeper: “I saw his brother, Drew, all over that,” she texted.

The Denver Nuggets are heading into the 2025-26 season with championship aspirations, led by Nikola Jokic and a bolstered roster. Aaron Gordon was a key piece of their 2023 title team, but his journey this year carries a heavier weight. Off the court, Gordon has faced profound loss, yet his resilience and family devotion anchor him. As the Nuggets prepare for the Media Day on September 29, 2025, Gordon’s story intertwines basketball heroics with a family legacy marked by love and loss.

Who Was Drew Gordon, Aaron Gordon’s Brother?

Drew Gordon was the oldest of the three Gordon siblings. Born July 12, 1990, in San Jose, California, he was a towering presence to both Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon and his sister, Elise. A basketball standout, he grew up in a tight-knit family with parents Ed and Shelly, who fostered a love for the game. 

Ed played at San Diego State, wearing No. 32, a number all three Gordon siblings adopted at Archbishop Mitty High School. Drew’s charisma and leadership made him a role model for Aaron. “Being the older brother, having to set an example and be a role model, I couldn’t be more pleased with how he has progressed as a player and individually,” Drew said of Aaron back in 2014.

What Was Drew Gordon’s Basketball Career?

Drew Gordon’s basketball journey began as a high school star at Archbishop Mitty, earning a spot in the 2008 Jordan Brand Classic alongside DeMar DeRozan and Jrue Holiday. Ranked among the top 50 recruits, he committed to UCLA, playing 40 games over two seasons before transferring to New Mexico.

There, he thrived, averaging 13.4 points and 10.8 rebounds across 61 games, leading the Mountain West in rebounding 11.1 per game as a senior in 2011-12. He earned first-team All-Mountain West honors twice and was the 2012 MWC Tournament MVP, guiding the Lobos to an NCAA Tournament second-round appearance.

He went undrafted in 2012 but earned a shot with the Philadelphia 76ers in 2014-15 playing nine games, and averaging 1.9 points and 2.0 rebounds in 7.9 minutes.

Later, he signed with the Dallas Mavericks for the Summer League and carved out an 11-year professional career, primarily overseas. His international stops included Serbia, Sardinia, Turkey, France, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Ukraine, and Japan. In the G League, he averaged 13 points with the Delaware Blue Coats.

Drew retired in July 2023, posting on X: “Thank you basketball for all that you have given me! I have given you my all over the years, I’m retiring on my jersey year. Thank you to all the fans, friends and family that have supported me along my journey!! Next chapter it is! Goodbye 32 hello 33.”

Who Was Drew Gordon’s Wife?

Drew married Angela Gordon in 2019. They shared three sons: Jayden, Zayne, and Brody. Angela, a devoted mother, supported Drew through his global basketball journey, from Lithuania to Ukraine.

Drew celebrated her resilience, posting on Instagram in 2020: “Maaaannnn listen. We been around the world together.. we been in the trenches together through thick n thin, good and bad . Over the years you have made me a better man, you have been patient. You have taught me to grow and I am forever thankful to be able to grow together. Now that we have an official date to celebrate each other and not just guesstimating … happy 1 year my love!!!!” 

His final post, on February 18, 2024, marked her birthday: “Spent the day yesterday in the present and not posting on social media.. But happy birthday bubba (yesterday)!!! The big 21 😅 thank you for being you and putting up with my crazy!! You have been killing it and will continue to do so!! I love youuu!!! We will go out for your first drink now that you are finally off drinking age 😂😂.”

How Did Drew Gordon Die?

Drew Gordon died on May 30, 2024, in a two-vehicle crash in Clackamas County, Oregon.  He was driving a Vanderhall Carmel three-wheeled autocycle on S. Springwater Road near S. Stevens Road when he crossed the centerline and collided with a GMC Sierra pickup around 1 p.m. The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office reported that Gordon died at the scene. 

The GMC’s driver and passenger sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were hospitalized. “Impairment does not appear to be a factor,” the sheriff’s office noted, with the crash still under investigation. The Nuggets confirmed the tragedy: “The Denver Nuggets organization is devastated to learn about the tragic passing of Drew Gordon. 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.”

How Old Was Drew Gordon When He Passed Away?

Drew was 33 years old at the time of his death on May 30, 2024, less than two months shy of his 34th birthday on July 12. After retiring in 2023, he had settled in Portland, Oregon, with Angela and their sons, planning for Jayden to join them in June. He attended the 2023 Hoop Summit with Elise, exploring future roles in basketball.

How Did Aaron Gordon React to His Brother’s Death?

Aaron was devastated by Drew’s passing, as they were best friends. “When that first happened, I was there with [Aaron],” teammate Michael Porter Jr. told Andscape. “It was me and him and KCP ended up pulling up. We sat there, digested it, talked. And we were there for him. He’s held it down since the day it happened. That was his big brother.”

Aaron honored Drew by switching his jersey from No. 50 to No. 32, Drew’s number at New Mexico and Partizan Belgrade. “It means he is with me,” Aaron said. “He has my back just like he has my front.” On June 6, 2024, he shared an Instagram post with a new chest tattoo featuring “DG” initials, captioned: “Big bruh lives through me 🖤.”

Aaron fulfilled Drew’s wish to care for his family, relocating Angela, Zayne, and Brody to Denver before the 2024-25 school year. He spends regular time with them, attends their events, and ensures Jayden, living in Albuquerque, visits for Nuggets games and the 2025 NCAA Final Four.

“Listen, I will do anything for those boys. That’s it. There is nothing I wouldn’t do for them. So, there has been a shift in the chemistry of my brain,” Aaron told Andscape. Angela praised his role: “In losing their superhero dad, they have leaned heavily into and on Aaron who has welcomed them in with his arms wide open. There are truly no words to describe how much he means to me and the kids. He has been our light in the darkness.”

Aaron’s resilience shines. “All my nephews, but [in particular] my youngest nephew, Brody. I want him to grow up and see a strong, resilient male figure in his life,” he said. Angela added, “To the world, he is Aaron Gordon. But to us, he is the best uncle, friend and person that has showed up for us during the darkest times of our lives.” His 14.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 43.6% three-point shooting last season, alongside Jokic’s 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.2 assists, fuel Denver’s 2025-26 hopes.

Drew’s death left a massive void in the Gordon family. He lived a life that was full of love. As the Nuggets chase another title, Aaron carries his brother’s memory, balancing grief with purpose, ensuring his nephews’ smiles light the way.