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 a professional basketball player currently playing for the Denver Nuggets in the NBA. Hailing from San Jose, California, he excelled at Archbishop Mitty High School, securing two state championships and the California Mr. Basketball title in both his junior and senior years. He played college basketball for the Arizona Wildcats, contributing to their Pac-12 regular season title and Elite Eight appearance in the 2014 NCAA Tournament before joining the NBA.

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Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1988: Michael Jordan vs Dominique Wilkins Comparison

During the 2016 NBA All-Star Weekend, Aaron Gordon was the runner-up to Zach LaVine in the Slam Dunk Contest. Their battle through two tie-breakers in the final round drew comparisons to the showdown between Michael Jordan and Dominique Wilkins in 1988.

2010: Participated at USA Basketball Developmental National Team mini-camp

In 2010, Aaron Gordon participated at the USA Basketball Developmental National Team mini-camp, marking an early step in his national team involvement.

2012: Magic Qualify for Postseason

In 2019, thanks to a 42-40 record, the Orlando Magic qualified for the postseason for the first time since 2012.

April 2, 2013: Commits to the University of Arizona

On April 2, 2013, Aaron Gordon committed to the University of Arizona, announcing his decision before the 2013 McDonald's All-American Game.

November 8, 2013: College Debut for Arizona Wildcats

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

February 22, 2014: Season-High 23 Points Against Colorado

On February 22, 2014, Aaron Gordon scored a season-high 23 points in a win against Colorado, including 21 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 19 points and a career-high 15 rebounds in a victory over Stanford.

March 8, 2014: Win Against Oregon

On March 8, 2014, Aaron Gordon contributed 21 points in a win against Oregon, 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 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: Declares for NBA Draft

On April 15, 2014, Aaron Gordon declared for the NBA draft, foregoing his final three years of college eligibility.

June 26, 2014: Drafted by Orlando Magic

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

2014: Drafted by Orlando Magic

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

2014: Arizona Wildcats Reach Elite Eight

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

2014: NCAA Tournament Run

In 2014, during the NCAA tournament, Aaron Gordon scored 16 points in a victory over Weber State, and contributed 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists in a win against Gonzaga, advancing to the Sweet 16. The team lost to Wisconsin in the Elite Eight, with Gordon scoring 8 points and grabbing 18 rebounds.

January 18, 2015: Returns to Action After Injury

On January 18, 2015, Aaron Gordon returned to action against the Oklahoma City Thunder after missing 32 games due to a fractured bone in his left foot.

July 2015: Re-joins Magic for NBA Summer League

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

November 4, 2015: Career-High 19 Points

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

January 31, 2016: Ties Career High Against Celtics

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

December 14, 2016: Career-High 33 Points

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

2016: Runner-Up in NBA Slam Dunk Contest

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

2016: Appointed President of Athlete Acquisition for Lucid

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

February 18, 2017: Second Slam Dunk Contest

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

March 31, 2017: 32 Points and 16 Rebounds vs. 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. He also had 16 rebounds in the game.

October 24, 2017: Career-High 41 Points Against Nets

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

November 29, 2017: 40 Points and 15 Rebounds vs. Thunder

On November 29, 2017, Aaron Gordon had 40 points and 15 rebounds to help Orlando end a nine-game losing streak with a win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.

December 30, 2017: 39-Point Effort vs. 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 8 Assists vs. Suns

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

July 6, 2018: Re-signs 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, alongside five rebounds and five assists, in a win over the Phoenix Suns.

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

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

2020: Release of Single "Pull Up"

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

2020: Second Runner-Up in NBA Slam Dunk Contest

In 2020, Aaron Gordon was a runner-up in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest for the second 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, alongside 6 rebounds and 4 assists, in a victory against the Brooklyn Nets, ending the Magics' nine-game losing streak and stopping the Nets' winning streak at six games.

March 25, 2021: Traded to Denver Nuggets

On March 25, 2021, Aaron Gordon was traded to the Denver Nuggets along with Gary Clark.

2021: Traded to the 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.

2022: Potential NBA All-Star Selection

During the 2022–23 season, Aaron Gordon was discussed as a potential NBA All-Star selection. However, he ultimately wasn't selected.

2023: NBA Champion

In 2023, Aaron Gordon became an NBA champion with the Denver Nuggets, contributing significantly during the NBA Finals.

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 scoring seven 3-pointers and accumulating 27 points in an overtime victory against the Phoenix Suns, with a final score of 149–141.