Aaron Gordon

Versatile and explosive Denver big man whose athleticism and toughness were crucial to the Nuggets' first NBA Championship in 2023.

Aaron Addison Gordon was born on 16 September 1995 in San Jose, California, to Ed Gordon, an African American former basketball player at San Diego State, and Shelly Davis Gordon, who is white and also played collegiately; Aaron has described his great-great-grandfather as a tall Osage tribal member, giving him Indigenous heritage as well. His older brother Drew played professional basketball overseas, and his older sister Elise played at Harvard before becoming Aaron's business manager. Gordon starred at Archbishop Mitty High School in San Jose, winning two state championships and being named California Mr. Basketball in both his junior and senior years, before playing one season at the University of Arizona, where he helped the Wildcats reach the Elite Eight. The Orlando Magic selected Gordon fourth overall in the 2014 NBA Draft, and he developed into one of the league's most spectacular dunkers, finishing runner-up in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest in both 2016 and 2020 in performances widely regarded among the greatest in the event's history. Gordon was traded to the Denver Nuggets in 2021, and delivered his signature achievement in 2023, winning his first NBA championship as a key starting forward. He surpassed 10,000 career points in November 2025, and opened the 2025-26 season with a career-high 50-point outburst against Golden State, continuing to be one of the league's most athletic and reliable two-way forwards.

Versatile power forward with exceptional athleticism and dunking ability

Athletic forward known for spectacular dunking and championship success

• NBA Champion 2023