Last Updated on April 22, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Here’s the information on Aaron Gordon:

  • Full Name: Aaron Addison Gordon
  • Nationality: American
  • Date of Birth: Born September 16, 1995
  • Hometown: San Jose, California, USA
  • Height: 6’7.5″ (2.02 m)
  • Weight: 235 lbs (107 kg)
  • Wingspan: 7’0″ (2.13 m)
  • Shoe Size: 16 (US)
  • Shoe Brand: 361 Degrees AG4, 361 AG1, 361 Big 3, Nike Zoom Kobe 4 Protro, Nike PG 2, Nike Kobe AD Mid
  • Jersey Number:
    • #00 — Arizona Wildcats (college)
    • #00 — Orlando Magic (2014–2021)
    • #50 — Denver Nuggets (2021–present)
  • Position: Power Forward / Small Forward
  • Draft: 2014 NBA Draft, 4th overall pick by the Orlando Magic
  • College: University of Arizona
  • High School: Archbishop Mitty High School, San Jose, California
  • Championship Rings: 1 NBA Championship with the Denver Nuggets (2023)
  • Kids: None
  • Siblings: Drew Gordon, Elisabeth Gordon
  • Player Archetype: Athletic two-way combo forward / secondary playmaking finisher
  • Primary Offensive Role: Rim runner, cutter, dunker-spot finisher, transition attacker, short-roll passer
  • Defensive Role: Multi-positional switch defender guarding wings, forwards, and small-ball centers
  • Play Style: Explosive vertical athlete who thrives off-ball, finishes above the rim, defends physically, and complements star creators
  • Handedness / Shooting Hand: Right-handed
  • Athletic Profile: Elite leaper, powerful frame, strong lateral mobility, above-average straight-line speed
  • Recruiting Status: 5-star recruit (2013 class), McDonald’s All-American
  • Draft Status Detail: One-and-done freshman, projected lottery pick, selected No. 4 overall
  • Injury Status Category: Has a history of lower-body injuries (ankle, hamstring, calf) but no career-threatening setbacks
  • Career Stage: Prime veteran starter / championship-level role player
  • Comparison Style: Hybrid of Shawn Marion athleticism and Blake Griffin interior finishing (without primary scoring load)
  • Teams Played For:
    • Orlando Magic (2014–2021)
    • Denver Nuggets (2021–Present)
  • Championship Rings: 1 (2023 with the Denver Nuggets)
  • Mother: Shelly Davis-Gordon (former athlete)
  • Father: Ed Gordon (former San Diego State basketball player)
  • Kids: No children
  • Siblings:
    • Drew Gordon – Older brother, former professional basketball player, tragically passed away in May 2024. Aaron now wears jersey number 32 in his honor.
    • Elise Gordon – Older sister, played college basketball at Harvard from 2010 to 2014.
  • Athlete Relatives:
    • Drew Gordon (brother, pro basketball)
    • Elise Gordon (sister, NCAA basketball)

As a player archetype, Aaron Gordon fits the mold of an athletic combo forward who impacts games through physicality, defensive versatility, and off-ball finishing rather than high-usage shot creation. Defensively, he typically takes on multi-positional assignments across the frontcourt, using strength, lateral mobility, and vertical explosion to guard wings, switch onto bigs, and protect the paint in small-ball lineups. Offensively, Gordon functions primarily as a cutter, transition finisher, and secondary playmaker, thriving as a lob target and interior scorer while spacing the floor enough to keep defenses honest. His physical traits—broad frame, elite leaping ability, strong core balance, and above-average speed for his size—allow him to play bigger than traditional forwards and operate effectively as a small-ball center when needed. Overall, his play style centers on complementary scoring, defensive flexibility, and high-efficiency finishing around the rim, with most production coming from movement, mismatches, and physical advantages rather than isolation creation.

Profile Notes & Context

  • Aaron Gordon’s height with shoes is between 6 feet 8.75 inches and 6 feet 9.5 inches.
  • Aaron Gordon’s playing weight was 220 pounds as a rookie. In the 2023-24 season, it was 235 pounds.
  • Aaron Gordon has worn Player Edition basketball shoes including 361 Big 3 (Zen 00) and Nike AlphaDunk (Pure Magic).

Fun Facts

  • On 4/27/2025, Aaron Gordan became the first player in NBA history to win a playoff game with a put-back/tip dunk at the buzzer when he tipped in a missed long-range shot by Nikola Jokić in the dying moments of game 4 of the Denver Nuggets vs LA Clippers first-round series.
  • Aaron Gordan has one of the most iconic dunks performed in an NBA Slam Dunk Contest when he grabbed the ball from Stuff the Magic Dragon and put it between both of his legs before slamming it with his left hand. Gordon is right-handed and previously slammed the ball by taking it out of Stuff the Magic Dragon’s hands, putting it through one of his legs, and slamming it with his right hand. The easier of the two dunks earned him a 10 from commentators and judges. His second of the two dunks left everybody in awe.

Player Insights

Player Overview:
Aaron Gordon profiles as a physically strong, explosive power forward whose frame and vertical athleticism fit the traditional archetype of an interior finisher with defensive versatility. He combines strength, leaping ability, and lateral mobility to defend the paint, switch across frontcourt matchups, and contest above the rim, while some lineups utilize him as a small-ball center to leverage his quickness against slower bigs. Offensively, Gordon operates primarily as a cutter, transition finisher, and lob target, generating much of his scoring inside the key through rim runs, offensive rebounds, and catch-and-finish opportunities. As his career has progressed, he has developed a more reliable perimeter shot that forces defenses to respect him outside, though his ball-handling creation remains limited compared to wing scorers. Overall, his value comes from athletic finishing, interior defense, and complementary scoring, with most production stemming from efficient paint touches and vertical spacing rather than high-volume self-created offense.

Sources:
Denver Stiffs — Aaron Gordon has become the perfect connective piece for the Nuggets
Nylon Calculus — Aaron Gordon’s offensive role evolution in Denver
BasketballNews.com — Why Aaron Gordon’s versatility unlocks Denver’s lineup flexibility