Last Updated on May 28, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Ben Gordon made an immediate impact in the NBA with his explosive scoring ability and confidence in late-game situations. His quick shooting release and knack for heating up offensively helped him become one of the league’s most dangerous microwave scorers during his prime years.

Here is a detailed profile of Ben Gordon:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Benjamin Ashenafi Gordon
  • Nationality: British / American
  • Date of Birth: April 4, 1983
  • Hometown: Mount Vernon, New York, USA
  • Height: 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
  • Weight: 200 lb (91 kg)
  • Wingspan: Approximately 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
  • Shoe Size: 13 (US)
  • Number: 7, 8
  • Position: Shooting Guard
  • High School: Mount Vernon High School (Mount Vernon, New York)
  • College: University of Connecticut (2001–2004)
  • NBA Draft: 2004, 1st Round, 3rd overall by the Chicago Bulls
  • Teams Played For:
    • Chicago Bulls (2004–2009)
    • Detroit Pistons (2009–2012)
    • Charlotte Bobcats (2012–2014)
    • Orlando Magic (2014–2015)
  • Championship Rings: 0
  • Kids: 1 son (Elijah Gordon)
  • Siblings: 1 brother (name not publicly disclosed)

Player Archetype / Play Style

Ben Gordon was a microwave-scoring combo guard whose archetype centered on instant offense and perimeter shot creation. Defensively, he typically filled a secondary backcourt role, guarding opposing point guards or smaller wings while relying more on positioning and effort than length or physical disruption. Offensively, Gordon functioned as a high-volume scorer—thriving off pull-up jumpers, quick catch-and-shoot threes, and aggressive drives that pressured defenses late in possessions. At roughly 6’3″ with a sturdy frame, quick release, and strong balance through contact, he combined compact athleticism with excellent shooting mechanics. His overall play style was built around shot-making bursts: he could swing momentum with rapid scoring runs, spacing the floor and punishing defenses whenever he found rhythm from mid-range or beyond the arc.

Sources:
basketball-reference.com — https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gordobe01.html
nba.com — https://www.nba.com/player/2732/ben-gordon
sports-reference.com — https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/ben-gordon-1.html