ARIZONA BASKETBALL

Arizona Wildcats forward Aaron Gordon heading for NBA Draft

Apr 16, 2014, 12:45 AM | Updated: 12:46 am

LISTEN: Bearing Down with Adam and Jarrett

Aaron Gordon has played his last game as an Arizona Wildcat, as the forward announced Tuesday he will forgo his three remaining seasons of NCAA eligibility to enter June’s NBA draft.

Gordon is a projected first-round pick.

“Aaron has so many gifts as a player,” Arizona head coach Sean Miller said in a press conference Tuesday. “His high energy level, love for the game, competitive fire and ability to blend into a team and become a great teammate are a few of these. Considering he is 18 years old, I can certainly see why the NBA thinks so highly of him. I fully expect Aaron to be a high pick in this year’s NBA Draft. Whichever franchise chooses him is getting the ultimate winner.”

The 6-foot-9 225-pounder will enter an NBA Draft that some say is one of the strongest draft classes in the history of the league. In his lone season for Arizona, Gordon averaged 12.4 points and eight rebounds a game en route to being named the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year.

As an NBA prospect, Gordon displays unique size and length, highlighted by his 6-foot-11 wingspan recorded at the 2013 USA Junior Team Hoop Summit. He may not possess ideal size for an NBA power forward, but he averaged one more rebound than his 7-foot teammate Kaleb Tarczewski.

Gordon put up eight double-doubles in 31.2 minutes per game, but struggled from the free throw line. Just a 42 percent shooter from the charity stripe, Gordon is not the guy to have at the line in crucial situations.

Defensively, Gordon’s hustle combined with his extreme athleticism, makes him a good addition for an up-tempo style of play in the NBA.

Mock scenarios of the June 26 NBA Draft place Gordon as a first-round pick, but where Gordon will fall in the first round is still up in the air.

Chad Ford of ESPN.com ranks the 18-year-old No. 6 on his big board, just under freshman Julius Randle of Kentucky.

DraftExpress.com predicts Gordon to be drafted eighth overall by the Detroit Pistons.

NBADraft.Net’s Mock Draft has Gordon falling just outside of the 14 lottery picks at no. 15 off the board to the Orlando Magic.

The Wildcats started the 2013 season 21-0, but were unable to escape Wisconsin in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament. Gordon added eight points and pulled down a season-high 18 rebounds in his last collegiate game.

Arizona Basketball

JuJu Watkins drives on Cameron Brink...

Associated Press

Pac-12 women get 7 teams in NCAA Tournament, including Arizona

The Pac-12 could be poised for a strong showing in its final March Madness run. Arizona, USC, Stanford and more are in the NCAA Tournament.

12 hours ago

Kylan Boswell celebrates...

Arizona Sports

Experts predict Arizona Wildcats’ NCAA Tournament run

Arizona isn't a No. 1 seed this NCAA Tournament, but that hasn't stopped some experts from picking the program from going far in 2024.

13 hours ago

Oumar Ballo #11 and Keshad Johnson #16 of the Arizona Wildcats bump chests after a basket by Ballo ...

David Veenstra

Arizona faces Long Beach State in 1st round of 2024 NCAA Tournament

The No. 2 seed Arizona Wildcats will take on No. 15 seed Long Beach State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in Salt Lake City.

1 day ago

Head coach Tommy Lloyd of the Arizona Wildcats calls to his team in the second half of a semifinal ...

Kellan Olson

Arizona projected as No. 2 seed for NCAA Tournament, GCU 12th

The Arizona Wildcats' two recent losses have still been deemed as costly enough to have them miss out on a NCAA Tournament top seed.

2 days ago

Jadrian Tracey...

Associated Press

Oregon captures final Pac-12 Tournament championship with win over Colorado

Oregon secured an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament by defeating Colorado 75-68 on Saturday night, ending the Pac-12 basketball era.

2 days ago

Keshad Johnson #16 of the Arizona Wildcats drives the ball against N'Faly Dante #1 and Jackson Shel...

Damon Allred

Arizona eliminated from Pac-12 Tournament in loss to Oregon

Arizona men's basketball packed its bags to leave Las Vegas and the Pac-12 Tournament early after falling 67-59 to fourth-seeded Oregon.

3 days ago

Arizona Wildcats forward Aaron Gordon heading for NBA Draft