With elite level talent like #1 ranked HS player Andrew Wiggins, Jabari Parker, Julius Randle, and the Harrison twins set to invade the college ranks next season, and the pro ranks potentially only one year after that, we as fanatical hoops fans definitely have something to look forward to over the next few seasons.
But while the still uncommitted Wiggins, along with the Parker and Randle, who are headed to Duke and Kentucky respectively, have received a majority of the attention nationally, it has been University of Arizona commit Aaron Gordon that has made the biggest strides from junior to senior seasons.
He was not only selected for some of this past year’s top annual high school events like the Elite 24 Game, McDonald’s All American Game, and Jordan Brand Classic, but came away playing a starring role, winning multiple MVP awards.
The prized big man averaged 21.6 ppg, 15.7 rebounds, and 3.3 blocks during his senior season at Archbishop Mitty HS in San Jose, California.
The 6’9 forward has regularly been compared to NBA superstar Blake Griffin because of his insane athleticism and ferocious dunking abilities around the rim. Aaron is the younger brother of former University of New Mexico forward Drew Gordon, now playing overseas.
At first just known as just a highlight reel dunker, Gordon has expanded his game to add a mid-range jumper and some impressive ball-handling for a player his size. Similarly to his NBA twin Griffin, Gordon also has some work to do at the free throw line(he shot 50% last season) but is as physically gifted as any player entering the college ranks next season.
Maybe in a few years we will see Aaron jumping over a Kia in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest?
Aaron Gordon’s Insane Senior Season Mixtape:
Allen Moll has been a lifelong NBA and NCAA College Basketball fan who watches and studies games religiously, and coaches youth basketball in his native Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. Allen has also provided content to Bleacherreport.com, Upperdeckblog.com, Cleveland.com, CSN Philly.com, Buckets Magazine, in addition to being a tenured NBA and NCAA columnist for TheHoopDoctors.com.
