“Carrying the Dream: Aaron Gordon’s Journey with Family in the NBA Playoffs”

Angela Gordon and her two young sons were rather disheartened that they had to depart from the Intuit Dome prematurely to catch their flight back to Denver on Saturday. With grandfather Ed also accompanying them in their private vehicle, they all witnessed the final moments of Game 4 between the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers on a phone.

Just prior to their arrival at Los Angeles International Airport, they erupted with elation and sentiment as the boys’ cherished uncle, Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon, executed a remarkable game-winning shot at the buzzer.

“I was in tears. Just unbelievable,” Angela Gordon conveyed to Andscape via text following the Nuggets’ 101-99 triumph in Game 4. The Nuggets will face the Clippers tonight in Game 5 with the series level at 2-2. “It’s crazy that we weren’t there in person for that last-second moment, but I noticed his brother, Drew, all over that…”

“We all went wild. It was truly amazing for the boys to see their uncle achieve something like that. Their smiles were priceless.”

Devastatingly, Drew Gordon — Angela’s late spouse and the elder brother of Aaron — passed away in a car accident in Portland, Oregon, on May 30, 2024.

Drew Gordon started attracting national attention as a high school basketball prodigy at San Jose Mitty High School, where he participated in the 2008 Jordan Brand Classic alongside present NBA players DeMar DeRozan and Jrue Holiday. He played at UCLA and New Mexico in college before going undrafted in 2012. During the 2014-15 season, he appeared in nine games for the Philadelphia 76ers and also competed in the NBA G League, Serbia, Sardinia, Turkey, France, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, and Ukraine.

Aaron and Drew were not just siblings but also the closest of friends. Witnessing Drew go undrafted and strive to establish a brief NBA career, Aaron gained extensive insight into the league before being picked as the fourth overall selection in the 2014 NBA draft by the Orlando Magic.

“As the older brother, I had to set a standard and be a role model, and I couldn’t be prouder of how he has developed as both a player and a person,” Drew Gordon shared with Yahoo! Sports in 2014 regarding his younger sibling.

In 2023, Drew was playing professionally in Ukraine just as the war with Russia was on the verge of unleashing, prompting him and his family to return to America in the nick of time. He formally announced his retirement in 2023, and he and his family moved to the Portland area. The entire Gordon family — from parents to children to grandchildren — gathered in Denver when the Nuggets celebrated their 2023 NBA championship win, taking a photo in triumph on the Ball Arena floor afterwards.

Drew attended the 2023 Hoop Summit in Portland on April 8, 2023, alongside his sister, Elise Gordon. He informed Andscape that day he was considering pursuing a career in professional basketball in a yet-to-be-determined role. Drew was also eager for his oldest son, Jayden, from a previous relationship, to relocate to Oregon with him in June of 2024 after receiving approval from his mother. However, on May 30, 2024, Drew tragically passed away in a two-vehicle collision in Clackamas County, Oregon, at the age of 33. He is survived by Angela, their sons Zayne (5) and Brody (2), and his oldest son Jayden (12).

“When that first occurred, I was present with [Aaron],” Nuggets teammate Michael Porter Jr. shared with Andscape. “It was me, him, and KCP [former Nuggets teammate Kentavious Caldwell-Pope] who ended up stopping by. We sat there, processed it, and discussed. And we were there for him. He’s managed to hold it together since that day. That was his big brother.”

Elise noted that to help with their overwhelming sorrow, an already tight-knit family grew even closer in the aftermath of Drew’s passing.

“To experience events that genuinely shake your world and transform the framework of your family, which only you understand how it feels and the pain you’re enduring, I believe we truly came together,” Elise, who now acts as Aaron’s co-agent, expressed to Andscape. “Honestly, we have tightened our circle even more just recognizing that we have each other. That’s what it boils down to: supporting one another.”

The Gordon family possesses a profound basketball legacy. Their father, Ed Gordon, played at San Diego State, where he sported No. 32. Each of his children donned No. 32 at Archbishop Mitty (San Jose) High School, with Drew choosing it at New Mexico and Elise at Harvard University. Aaron transitioned from No. 50 to No. 32 prior to this season to honor Drew.

“It signifies he is alongside me,” Aaron remarked regarding the change in his jersey number. “He supports me just as much as he stands in front of me.”

Aaron mentioned that Drew once advised him to care for his family should anything happen to him. The younger brother has already done that remarkably.

Last autumn, Aaron persuaded Angela and her two sons to relocate to the Denver area before the academic year commenced. Aaron frequently visits their residence to spend time with the boys. Angela and her sons attend the majority of Nuggets home contests and were present at Games 3 and 4 of the Nuggets-Clippers series in Los Angeles.

Aaron remains in close contact with Jayden, who resides with his mother in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He purchased tickets for Jayden to witness the 2025 NCAA Men’s Final Four in San Antonio. Jayden also travels to Denver and attends Nuggets games whenever possible. Porter noted that Aaron opted to stay in Denver rather than return to his hometown Bay Area during the 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend to spend time with the children.

“Listen, I would do anything for those boys. That’s just how it is. There is nothing I wouldn’t do for them. Hence, there has been a transformation in my mindset,” Aaron expressed to Andscape.

Angela stated that her sons share an “amazing bond with their Uncle Aaron” and that he has been a blessing throughout their hardship.

“In the wake of losing their superhero dad, they have relied on Aaron, who has embraced them with open arms,” Angela conveyed to Andscape. “Words cannot adequately express how much he means to me and the children. He has been our brightness in the shadow. He possesses the most compassionate, generous, and self-sacrificing heart. He will and does anything for my kids, and for that, no amount of gratitude could suffice. Drew would feel immense pride and honor to see Aaron and the boys together. I know that words would never be enough to convey the deep appreciation we hold for Aaron and the way he has stepped up for our family…”

“Aaron has consistently been the most selfless individual. But in navigating life without their dad physically here, I can’t imagine a better role model for my boys in every aspect. He is a man pulled in diverse directions yet prioritizes time with the kids, ensuring they are not just surviving but thriving. He has adapted and evolved, which is a significant reason my children have a reason to smile broadly each day. When he is present, joy and laughter abound. There exists a reciprocal love between them, and witnessing their connections is truly heartwarming.”

In as much as Aaron supports his nephews, their presence has also been therapeutic for him. In each boy, he sees the reflection of his big brother and remembers his promise.

“What has been sustaining me is my passion for the game of basketball and my love for my brother’s children,” Aaron shared.

Elise remarked: “He’s very hands-on. The most engaged. Those boys cherish and idolize him. He will literally pause everything for them. He’ll wrestle with them, tickle them, and beat them in basketball. He’s as involved as he can be.”

Aaron has competed in 11 NBA seasons, most of which have not been as triumphant as the 50-win season the Nuggets experienced this year. Yet, amidst all his NBA campaigns, the 29-year-old stated that this has “definitely” been the most demanding. Nuggets head coach Michael Malone was dismissed at the conclusion of the regular season. Injuries and team chemistry dilemmas have hindered their performance, while Aaron has coped with the sorrow from his brother’s passing.

When questioned about the essence of his mental fortitude this season, Aaron remarked: “All my nephews, but [specifically] my youngest nephew, Brody. I aspire for him to witness a strong, resilient male role model in his life…

“It can perpetually be worse. I recognize that I carry [my brother] alongside me. I’m maintaining stability and being a pillar for the rest of the family.”

Angela emphasized that Aaron has already exceeded expectations in being a strong, resilient male role model for his nephews.

“To the public, he is Aaron Gordon. But to us, he is the most exceptional uncle, friend, and individual who has supported us during the bleakest moments of our lives,” Angela stated. “He embodies light. He represents love. And he is an extraordinary individual who selflessly gives with all of his heart. One day, my boys will realize how lucky and blessed they are to have him as a role model.

“I know that Drew would be immensely grateful for how he has been present and brought joy, laughter, love, and feelings of safety and happiness to our children daily.”