Drew Gordon, the older brother of Denver Nuggets forward and 2023 NBA champion Aaron Gordon, has passed away in a tragic car accident in Portland, Oregon, per Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium. He was just 33 years old.

Gordon excelled in New Mexico (also spent two years at UCLA) before turning professional in 2012. He played nine games for the Philadelphia 76ers in 2014 and went on to enjoy a successful career overseas. The former First-Team Mountain West selection retired from basketball last July.

Gordon consistently adapted to a new environment during his basketball career, starting with his decision to transfer from UCLA to New Mexico. He helped the Lobos win the conference tournament, clinch a No. 5 seed in the NCAA Tournament and advance to the Round of 32 in his senior campaign.

The double-double that Gordon averaged in each of his two seasons in Albuquerque was still not enough to land him a call at the 2012 NBA Draft, forcing him to adjust once again. He worked hard in the Summer League and ultimately impressed the Sixers. Although his time in The Association was brief, Gordon kept his spirits high going forward. The sport was far from done with him.

Playing all throughout Europe in the 2010s and early-2020s, Gordon continued to do what he loved. And he did it well. He won the Italian Cup in 2014 with Dinamo Sassari, was named a French League All-Star while representing Chalons-Reims in 2016 and earned the same honor in the Russian League two years later.

The 6-foot-9 forward provided a stalwart interior presence, posting 11.6 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.0 steal in 120 games overseas. Drew Gordon made an indisputable impact on the international circuit, but his life obviously went well beyond basketball.

“Rest in Peace to a great man, father, brother, all around person and basketball player who traveled the world playing the game,” ESPN senior NBA writer Marc J. Spears posted on X. “My prayers to his wife, children and family. So happy I got to be in his presence in April in Portland. Will miss you brother. Horrible news.”

The Denver Nuggets will surely support Aaron Gordon during this time, as he and his family process and mourn this terrible loss.