Aaron Gordon lost his older brother Drew Gordon to a car accident in May earlier this year and is now honoring him by changing his number. Gordon, who has been wearing No. 50 since he was traded to the Denver Nuggets in 2021, will be wearing No. 32 from the 2024-25 season.
Aaron Gordon (@Double0AG) is switching from No. 50 to No. 32 for the #Nuggets to honor his late brother and former pro player Drew Gordon, who passed away earlier in May. Drew used to wear No. 32.
Number last worn by Jeff Green in 2023. #NBA pic.twitter.com/7h7LzSOWlI
— Etienne Catalan (@EtienneCatalan) August 26, 2024
Drew wore No. 32 during his two years with the University of New Mexico and when he went overseas to Europe to start his professional basketball career, after going undrafted in 2012. He wasn’t quite as talented as his younger brother Aaron, but he played in the NBA briefly, as he was featured in nine games for the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2014-15 season.
As for Drew’s time in Europe, it was a lot more successful, as he was named an All-Star in the French League in 2016 and the Russian League in 2018. He also had some team success, winning the Italian Cup in 2014.
After many years in Europe and a stop in Japan, Drew retired from professional basketball on July 12, 2023. Less than a year later on May 30, 2024, he lost his life after his Vanderhall Carmel collided with a pickup truck in Clackamas County, Oregon.
Drew was only 33 years old when he passed away and is now survived by his wife and three children. I’m certain, Aaron is doing whatever he can to support the family now. This jersey number change actually isn’t the only thing he has done in his older brother’s honor either.
Gordon got a “DG” tattoo as a tribute to Drew and the Instagram post in which he showed it, had a wonderful caption as well, “Big bruh lives thru me.” Drew certainly will live on in Aaron’s heart and mind.
As for this number change, it’s the second time Gordon has done it. He had worn No. 00 throughout his tenure with the Orlando Magic from 2014 to 2021. When he joined the Nuggets, though, Markus Howard had No. 00 and JaMychal Green had No. 0, so he had no choice but to change.
Gordon has now become the 14th player to wear No. 32 for the Nuggets, with Jeff Green being the last man to wear it before him. He’ll be hoping he can honor his brother by shining for the Nuggets on the court while wearing No. 32.
Gordon averaged 13.9 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game for the Nuggets in the 2023-24 season. The 28-year-old had some impressive outings in the playoffs as well but was unable to help his team repeat as champions, as they lost in seven games to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Conference Semifinals. If the Nuggets are to return to the top, they’ll need Gordon to be at his best and I think he will do well next season.
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