Former 76ers player Drew Gordon dies at 33

Former college standout Drew Gordon, the older brother of Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon, died Thursday, the University of New Mexico announced. He was 33.

???? We are heartbroken over the passing of Drew Gordon. A two-time all-conference forward, he helped lead us to the 2012 Mountain West title. pic.twitter.com/tdleKSxTOF

— Lobo Basketball (@UNMLoboMBB) May 31, 2024

Drew Gordon was reportedly killed in a car crash in Portland, Ore. The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office announced a fatal crash on Thursday but didn't reveal the identity of the deceased.

Gordon was a 2008 McDonald's All-American at Archbishop Mitty High in San Jose, Calif., before attending UCLA for parts of two seasons and then playing two at New Mexico.

Gordon played in just 40 games for UCLA before deciding to transfer early in the 2009-10 season. He moved on to New Mexico and averaged 13.4 points and 10.8 rebounds in two seasons for the Lobos.

He was a first-team All-Mountain West choice in 2011-12 and also was named MVP when the Lobos won the 2012 Mountain West tournament.

Gordon wasn't selected in the NBA draft but eventually played in nine games for the Philadelphia 76ers during the 2014-15 season. He averaged 1.9 points, 2.0 rebounds and shot 42.1 percent from the field.

Gordon played internationally in multiple leagues between 2012-21. He formally retired in 2023.

Aaron Gordon, 28, is in his 10th NBA season. He helped the Nuggets win the NBA title last season.

--Field Level Media/Reuters