The forward from Arizona is highlighted this week.
Week Of: November 17 – November 23
Aside of Andrew Wiggins, Jabari Parker and Julius Randle one of the freshman being most talked about is Arizona PF Aaron Gordon. Ever since he had a dazzling performance in the McDonald’s All-American game (24pts, 8reb) he’s garnered a lot of hype and has potential to be a lottery selection in the 2014 NBA Draft.
Gordon is a unique prospect that features a rare blend of physical attributes, intensity and basketball IQ. He has ideal length (6’11” wingspan), freakish explosiveness and great body control. Gordon also features a great “basketball” body and seems to be very well conditioned. He never appears winded and can wear down opponents as the game wears on.
Where Gordon excels is as a rebounder. He has big, strong hands that make him a vacuum cleaner on the glass. Five games into his freshman season Gordon is averaging 9 boards per game which is fifth in the Pac-12. Gordon has a defensive rebounding percentage of 20.7 which is eighth in the Pac-12 and an offensive rebounding percentage of 15.1 and best in the Pac-12.
Offensively Gordon can create off the dribble from the perimeter thanks to his ball-handling. He’s a great team player who’s willing to make the extra pass. Gordon also features a great first step and has showed some solid back-to-the-basket moves. Gordon has very good footwork; his pivots are very quick and fluid. Thanks to being such an outstanding athlete, Gordon can really elevate around the basket and he’ll throw down some highlight reel dunks. If you lob him a pass he’ll go up and get it and throw it down to bring the entire arena off its feet, he is very entertaining to watch.
As a defender Gordon really relies on his competitiveness. Gordon plays with a ton of fire and passion, he’ll always dive for a loose ball and hustle for the entire game. Thanks to a great 6’11” wingspan Gordon can block a lot of shots which is one of his biggest strengths. Gordon is currently fifth in the Pac-12 with 1.8 blocks per game.
The biggest weakness in Gordon is his shooting ability. He has a very ugly form and just doesn’t appear to be capable of making jump shots on a consistent basis anytime soon. Gordon is also really bad from the free throw line. Early in his college career he’s only shooting 43% from the charity stripe and he only shot 48% at the EYBL. Additionally, Gordon also takes too many ill-advised shots however that has to be expected for a player as young as him.
There’s a lot to like in Aaron Gordon’s game. He’s one of the youngest players in this freshmen class and is off to a great start in Tucson averaging 13 PPG, 9 RPG and 1.8 BPG through five games. He’s extremely explosive and is a great team player that fans will also love. Right now Gordon projects to be a late first round pick which could improve as the season wears on pending his play.
Player Comparison: Kenneth Faried/Poor Man’s Blake Griffin
Next Week’s Report: Rodney Hood, F, SO, Duke
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