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NBA Draft Rumors 2014: Aaron Gordon could go higher than projected

By Andrew Melnick

Mar 15, 2014; Las Vegas, NV, USA; UCLA Bruins guard/forward Kyle Anderson (5) celebrates with guard Bryce Alford (20) in front of Arizona Wildcats forward Aaron Gordon (11) during the second half in the championship game of the Pac-12 Conference college basketball tournament at MGM Grand Garden Arena. The Bruins defeated the Wildcats 75-71. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 15, 2014; Las Vegas, NV, USA; UCLA Bruins guard/forward Kyle Anderson (5) celebrates with guard Bryce Alford (20) in front of Arizona Wildcats forward Aaron Gordon (11) during the second half in the championship game of the Pac-12 Conference college basketball tournament at MGM Grand Garden Arena. The Bruins defeated the Wildcats 75-71. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Although he did not have the hype of former Kansas Jayhawks’ forward Andrew Wiggins, former Duke Blue Devils’ forward Jabari Parker or former Kentucky Wildcats’ power forward Julius Randle upon entering college in 2013, former Arizona Wildcats’ power forward Aaron Gordon had quite a bit of hype himself.

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Although Gordon’s Wildcats were the best team during the season, had a record of 33-5 and advanced to the Elite Eight, he didn’t produce like his classmates and therefore didn’t have the same kind of hype (and still doesn’t, really).

After Gordon wowed scouts at the NBA’s Scouting Combine, Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders believes he could go higher than many have initially projected.

"It’s easy to see why some NBA teams are falling in love with Gordon. He is an athletic freak and, at only 18 years old, he has plenty of potential. In most drafts, Gordon would likely be in the conversation for the No. 1 overall pick, but this isn’t most drafts. Instead, he has to compete with the likes of Andrew Wiggins, Jabari Parker and Joel Embiid, all of whom could be franchise players in the NBA.However, don’t be surprised if Gordon goes higher than expected on draft night. He could win a team over and climb up draft boards between now and June 26. Not only is Gordon an amazing athlete, he’s an extremely hard worker and he really impressed teams in interviews. He is his biggest critic when it comes to his game, and he’s striving for greatness."

Gordon, who measured in at 6’8.75 and 220 pounds with a wingspan of 6’11.75 and a vertical leap of 39″, averaged 12.4 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 blocks per game last season.

Both the Boston Celtics, who hold the sixth-overall pick and the Los Angeles Lakers, who hold the seventh-overall pick, have been tied to Gordon.

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