Former Wildcat Aaron Gordon records monster block in NBA Summer League debut

Former Arizona Wildcats forward Aaron Gordon could use some work on his free throw shooting, and his overall offensive game needs polishing, but there’s one primary reason the 18-year-old was drafted No. 4 overall by the Orlando Magic last month: his freakish athleticism.

That trait was on display Saturday as he recorded a highlight-reel block in his first taste of NBA-level action.

In an NBA Summer League matchup between Orlando and Philadelphia, Casper Ware of the 76ers was leading a 3-on-2 fast break in the fourth quarter when he dished off to small forward K.J. McDaniels, who eluded one Magic defender and attempted a layup over Gordon.

Denied!

Gordon elevated, his head nearly at rim-level, and simply snatched the ball out of the air, his only block of the contest. McDaniels, a Clemson product, has decent size at 6-foot-6, but Gordon made him look like a small point guard on that memorable play.

The 6-foot-9 former Wildcat otherwise had a quiet game, shooting 3-for-11 with seven points, five rebounds and four turnovers. The 76ers more or less returned the favor on Gordon’s block, as the San Jose, Calif., native had two of his own field goal attempts rejected in the game.

Gordon and the Magic won the contest 83-77.