Few NBA players are as easy to root for as Aaron Gordon — and not just because of his gravity-defying dunks. Between anchoring the Denver Nuggets’ defense on the way to a 2023 championship and navigating a deeply personal family loss, Gordon has become a fan favorite for reasons that go far beyond the box score.

Don't miss these

4 related posts

Height: 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) ·
Weight: 235 lb (107 kg) ·
Age: 30 (born September 16, 1995) ·
Team: Denver Nuggets ·
Position: Forward ·
Draft: 2014, 1st round, 4th overall by Orlando Magic

Quick snapshot

1Career Highlights
  • NBA champion (2023) (Wikipedia)
  • 4th overall pick in 2014 draft (ESPN)
  • Two-time NBA Slam Dunk Contest runner-up (ESPN)
  • Averaged career-high 16.2 PPG in 2021-22 (NBA.com)
2Personal Life
  • Mother has Native American and African-American ancestry (Andscape)
  • Father is Ed Gordon, former San Diego State player (Andscape)
  • Has a son, Aiden (born 2021) (Wikipedia)
  • Christian faith (Wikipedia)
3Dunk Contest Legacy
  • 2016: Lost to Zach LaVine in a memorable duel (Wikipedia)
  • 2020: Lost to Derrick Jones Jr. in controversial decision (Wikipedia)
  • Attempted a 720 dunk in 2020 but didn’t land it cleanly (Wikipedia)
  • Considered one of the best non-winners in contest history (ESPN)
4What’s unclear
  • Exact percentage of Native American heritage (Wikipedia)
  • Whether Gordon is actively practicing a specific religion (Wikipedia)
  • The exact details of his 2024 injury recovery timeline (Wikipedia)

The table below summarizes Aaron Gordon’s basic profile.

Label Value
Full Name Aaron Addison Gordon
Born September 16, 1995, San Jose, California
Height 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
Weight 235 lb (107 kg)
Team Denver Nuggets
Position Forward
College Arizona
Draft 2014, 1st round, 4th overall by Orlando Magic

Is Aaron Gordon part Indian?

This question comes up often, partly because of Gordon’s striking facial features and partly because he has addressed it directly. The short answer: no — but he does have Native American ancestry on his father’s side.

What is Aaron Gordon’s ethnic background?

Gordon’s family tree reflects a mix of cultures. His mother, Shelly Davis Gordon, is white, while his father, Ed Gordon — a former San Diego State basketball player — is Black, according to Andscape (ESPN’s longform platform). Gordon has mentioned that his paternal great-great-grandfather was a 7-foot-tall Osage Indian, per Wikipedia. “I’m not Indian,” Gordon told reporters, clarifying that the heritage is Native American, not South Asian.

The nuance

Gordon’s paternal great-great-grandfather reportedly stood 7 feet tall and was of Osage descent — a detail that adds both a genetic and cultural layer to his identity as a mixed-race athlete.

Who is half Filipino in the NBA?

Gordon is not Filipino, but several notable NBA players are. Jordan Clarkson (Utah Jazz), Jalen Green (Houston Rockets), and Erik Spoelstra (Miami Heat head coach) each have Filipino heritage. Clarkson, in particular, has represented the Philippines in international competition.

The implication: Gordon’s background is often misunderstood because of how “Indian” and “Native American” get conflated in casual conversation. His actual heritage — African-American and Osage Native American — places him among a smaller group of NBA players with documented tribal ancestry.

What happened with Aaron Gordon?

Gordon’s career took a sharp turn upward in March 2021. That’s when the Orlando Magic traded him to the Denver Nuggets, a move that turned him from a promising young forward into an essential piece of a championship operation.

What injuries has Aaron Gordon suffered?