Career Timeline of Aaron Gordon: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Aaron Gordon built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Aaron Gordon is an American professional basketball player currently playing for the Denver Nuggets in the NBA. He was born in San Jose, California, and had a successful high school career at Archbishop Mitty High School, leading them to two state championships and earning the title of California Mr. Basketball twice. He played college basketball for one year at the University of Arizona, where his team won the Pac-12 regular season title and made it to the Elite Eight in the 2014 NCAA tournament.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

2010: USA Basketball Developmental National Team Mini-Camp

In 2010, Aaron Gordon participated at the USA Basketball Developmental National Team mini-camp.

2011: FIBA Americas Under-16 Championship Gold Medal

In 2011, Aaron Gordon led Team USA to win the FIBA Americas Under-16 Championship gold medal. He achieved team-highs of 17.0 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 3.2 blocks per game.

November 8, 2013: College Debut for Arizona Wildcats

On November 8, 2013, Aaron Gordon made his college debut for the Arizona Wildcats in a win against Cal Poly, recording 13 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 blocks.

2013: FIBA Under-19 World Cup Gold Medal and MVP Honors

In 2013, Aaron Gordon earned MVP honors at the FIBA Under-19 World Cup in Prague, where he led the United States to a gold medal. He averaged team highs of 16.2 points and 6.2 rebounds per game.

February 22, 2014: Season-High Points Against Colorado

On February 22, 2014, Aaron Gordon scored a season-high 23 points in a win against Colorado, scoring 21 of those points in the second half.

March 2, 2014: Pac-12 Regular Season Title

On March 2, 2014, Aaron Gordon led his team to a Pac-12 regular season title with a victory over Stanford, scoring 19 points and achieving a career-high 15 rebounds.

March 8, 2014: Regular Season Finale

On March 8, 2014, Aaron Gordon contributed 21 points in a win against Oregon in the final game of the regular season, finishing the season with a 28-3 record.

March 13, 2014: Pac-12 Tournament Quarterfinals Win

On March 13, 2014, during the 2014 Pac-12 tournament, Aaron Gordon's Arizona team defeated Utah in the quarterfinals, with Gordon scoring 11 points and grabbing 7 rebounds.

March 14, 2014: Pac-12 Tournament Semifinals Win

On March 14, 2014, Aaron Gordon led his team to a semifinal victory against Colorado during the Pac-12 tournament, scoring 9 points and grabbing 9 rebounds.

April 15, 2014: Declared for NBA Draft

On April 15, 2014, Aaron Gordon declared for the NBA draft, forgoing his final three years of college eligibility, after finishing his freshman year with a record-breaking 303 rebounds. He was also named to the All-Pac-12 first team and earned Pac-12 Freshman of the Year and Pac-12 All-Freshman team honors.

June 26, 2014: Drafted by Orlando Magic

On June 26, 2014, Aaron Gordon was selected with the fourth overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft by the Orlando Magic.

2014: Drafted by Orlando Magic

In 2014, Aaron Gordon was selected by the Orlando Magic as the fourth overall pick in the NBA draft.

2014: Arizona Wildcats Reach Elite Eight

In 2014, Aaron Gordon's Arizona Wildcats won the Pac-12 regular season title and reached the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament.

2014: NCAA Tournament Performance

In the 2014 NCAA tournament, Aaron Gordon helped Arizona advance to the Sweet 16 and the Elite Eight. Gordon scored 15 points in his team's win against San Diego State before ultimately dropping out of the tournament in a close loss to Wisconsin in the Elite Eight where he scored 8 points and grabbed 18 rebounds.

January 18, 2015: Return After Injury

On January 18, 2015, Aaron Gordon returned to action for the Orlando Magic against the Oklahoma City Thunder after missing 32 games due to a fractured bone in his left foot. He had been ruled out indefinitely on November 16, 2014.

July 2015: Re-joined Magic for NBA Summer League

In July 2015, Aaron Gordon re-joined the Orlando Magic for the 2015 NBA Summer League, averaging impressive stats in three games.

November 4, 2015: Career-High 19 Points

On November 4, 2015, Aaron Gordon scored a then career-high 19 points in a loss to the Houston Rockets.

January 31, 2016: Tied Career High, Grabbed 14 Rebounds

On January 31, 2016, Aaron Gordon tied his then career high of 19 points and grabbed 14 rebounds in a win over the Boston Celtics.

December 14, 2016: Career-High 33 Points

On December 14, 2016, Aaron Gordon scored a then career-high 33 points in a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.

2016: President of Athlete Acquisition for Lucid

In 2016, Aaron Gordon was appointed president of athlete acquisition for Lucid, which is a sports psychology app developed by mental skills coach Graham Betchart.

2016: Runner-Up in NBA Slam Dunk Contest

In 2016, Aaron Gordon was the runner-up in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest, losing to Zach LaVine.

February 18, 2017: Second Slam Dunk Contest Appearance

On February 18, 2017, Aaron Gordon participated in his second consecutive Slam Dunk Contest, but did not advance past the first round.

March 31, 2017: Scored 32 Points Against Celtics

On March 31, 2017, Aaron Gordon scored 20 of his 32 points in the first half of the Magic's loss to the Boston Celtics, also recording 16 rebounds.

October 24, 2017: Career-High 41 Points

On October 24, 2017, Aaron Gordon scored a then career-high 41 points, including the go-ahead 3-pointer, to lift the Magic to a win over the Brooklyn Nets.

November 29, 2017: 40 Points and 15 Rebounds

On November 29, 2017, Aaron Gordon had 40 points and 15 rebounds in a win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.

December 30, 2017: 39-Point Effort Against Heat

On December 30, 2017, Aaron Gordon had a 39-point effort in a loss to the Miami Heat.

March 24, 2018: 29 Points, 11 Rebounds, and Career-High Assists

On March 24, 2018, Aaron Gordon had 29 points, 11 rebounds, and a then career-high eight assists in a win over the Phoenix Suns.

July 6, 2018: Re-signed with the Magic

On July 6, 2018, Aaron Gordon re-signed with the Orlando Magic.

2018: Acting Debut in Uncle Drew

In 2018, Aaron Gordon made his acting debut as Casper in the movie Uncle Drew.

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January 2, 2019: Career-High Nine Assists

On January 2, 2019, Aaron Gordon had a then career-high nine assists in a win over the Chicago Bulls.

April 13, 2019: Playoff Debut

On April 13, 2019, Aaron Gordon made his playoff debut, recording ten points, ten rebounds, three assists, and three steals in a Game 1 win against the Toronto Raptors.

December 4, 2019: Season-High 32 Points

On December 4, 2019, Aaron Gordon scored a season-high 32 points in a win over the Phoenix Suns.

2020: Partnership with 361 Degrees and Donation to Homeless Education Fund

In 2020, Aaron Gordon partnered with the Chinese sports brand 361 Degrees and donated to the Homeless Education Fund at the Foundation for Orange County Public Schools of Florida, supporting children affected by school closures during the coronavirus pandemic.

2020: Release of Single "Pull Up"

In 2020, Aaron Gordon released a single titled "Pull Up" in collaboration with rap artist Moe.

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2020: Runner-Up in NBA Slam Dunk Contest

In 2020, Aaron Gordon was again the runner-up in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest, this time losing to Derrick Jones Jr.

2020: Slam Dunk Contest Runner-Up

In 2020, Aaron Gordon was runner-up in the Slam Dunk Contest to Derrick Jones Jr. during the NBA All-Star Weekend.

March 19, 2021: Season-High 38 Points

On March 19, 2021, Aaron Gordon posted a season-high 38 points in a victory against the Brooklyn Nets, ending the Magic's losing streak. He also knocked down a career-high seven 3-pointers.

March 25, 2021: Traded to Denver Nuggets

On March 25, 2021, Aaron Gordon and Gary Clark were traded to the Denver Nuggets.

2021: Traded to Denver Nuggets

In 2021, Aaron Gordon was traded to the Denver Nuggets.

January 11, 2022: Season-High 30 Points

On January 11, 2022, Aaron Gordon scored a season-high 30 points, alongside 12 rebounds, in a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.

2023: NBA Champion

In 2023, Aaron Gordon won an NBA championship with the Denver Nuggets. In Game 4 of the NBA Finals, Gordon scored a then playoff career-high 27 points.

2023: Won First NBA Championship

In 2023, Aaron Gordon won his first NBA championship with the Denver Nuggets.

October 21, 2024: Contract Extension with the Nuggets

On October 21, 2024, Aaron Gordon and the Nuggets agreed to a four-year, $133 million contract extension.

March 7, 2025: Career-High Seven 3-Pointers

On March 7, 2025, Aaron Gordon achieved a career-high by making seven 3-pointers and scoring 27 points in an overtime victory against the Phoenix Suns.

October 23, 2025: Career-High 50 Points in Loss to Warriors

On October 23, 2025, Aaron Gordon scored a career-high 50 points with 10 three-pointers in a loss to the Golden State Warriors. His performance tied Terry Rozier's record for the most three-pointers in a season-opening game and surpassed Alex English's record for most points in a season opener for the Nuggets.