Drew Gordon, 33, tragically passed away in May following a car accident in Oregon.
Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon recently shared how his teammates supported him through the devastating loss of his brother, Drew.
Speaking at the Nuggets’ media day on Thursday, Sept. 26, Aaron, 29, addressed the media for the first time since Drew’s death, expressing gratitude for the team’s unwavering support after the fatal accident in May.
“I always leaned on my brother,” Aaron said during the press conference. “And sometimes the relationships I had outside of my family weren’t as strong. Now I realize you can’t take any relationship for granted.”
He commended his teammates for standing by him during the offseason, especially as he navigated his grief. “These guys have been there for me every step of the way,” he said, noting that his Nuggets teammates even attended Drew’s funeral.
“These guys have been unbelievably supportive, and I love them for that,” Aaron added. “They’ve truly become like brothers to me.”
Drew, 33, lost his life on May 30 after a collision with a pickup truck in Portland, Oregon. His agent, Calvin Andrews, confirmed the heartbreaking news to ESPN.
Drew previously played for the Philadelphia 76ers before continuing his basketball career overseas. He is survived by his wife, Angela, and their three children: Jayden, 12, Zayne, 5, and Brody, 2.
In August, Aaron announced he would change his jersey number for the upcoming season to honor his late brother. He switched from No. 50 to No. 32 — the number Drew wore.
Aaron Gordon Reflects on the Support of His Denver Nuggets Teammates Following His Brother’s Passing
