By Mitch Stephens
MaxPreps.com
Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.) senior Drew Gordon is all too familiar with targets and bull's-eyes.
He's 6-foot-9 and weighs 225 pounds after all.
He runs like an antelope and jumps like a deer. He's strong like an ox - a two-time state finalist in the shot put and discus proves that.
Frankly, he's something of a freak of nature, which somehow opened him up for criticism and scrutiny even as a 14-year-old ninth-grader in only his third year of playing the game of basketball.
"I won't lie, it's been strenuous, but it comes with the territory," Gordon said. "Every season it's strenuous, being the center of attention. People criticize you, people applaud you. I still go through ups and downs. There's always going to be the watchful eye of nay-sayers."
The UCLA-bound Gordon can offer his team a unique perspective.
The Monarchs return just about everyone from last year's 29-6 team that lost a 69-64 overtime game in last year's CIF Division II state title game to nationally-ranked Mater Dei (Santa Ana).
They feature at least three other Division I players - 6-5 shooting guard Collin Chiverton (St. Mary's-Moraga), 6-8 post Enoch Andoh (Bucknell) and 6-5 forward John Adams (Lehigh) - and are in everyone's top-20 national rankings.
Most figures Mitty should cruise right into the state title game and this year prevail. That heavy burden doesn't bother Gordon one bit.
Then again, he's battle/target-tested.
"Our mentality is we're going to win the state title," Gordon said. "We know the targets on our back. We know everyone is going to play their best games against us. We realize all that.
"All I can say to all that is `bring it on.' "
What Gordon brings is a little bit what Nate Thurmond or Bill Russell brought to their NBA teams, what Ben Wallace brings to the Bulls - a lot of defense, hustle, shot-blocking and rebounding.
His offense is a bonus.
Gordon's season averages last year were modest - 13.6 points, 9.1 rebounds, 3.6 blocks per game - but he led the Monarchs to their first Northern California championship.
"He fills a stat sheet in many different ways, but there's also ways Drew influences a game that never show up in a box score," Mitty coach Brian Eagleson said.
Namely, by intimidating opposing players and their shot selection.
Serra (San Mateo) coach Chuck Rapp said it takes extra hours to prepare for Mitty because Gordon presents so many problems.
"He completely controls one end of the court - the defensive end," he said. "He's a complete game-changer."
It seems there is no shot out of his long reach, even when writhing in pain on the floor.
No better play demonstrated his athleticism, competitiveness or timing last year than in a playoff win over Serra.
After making a 10-foot jump hook, Gordon came down awkwardly and sprained his right ankle. In the meantime, Serra sped down court and All-League junior post Stephen Lumpkins appeared to have an uncontested layup.
But Gordon, seeing Serra was running a break, jumped up and hobbled quickly down court, faster than most his size at full speed. He went up with two hands, blocked the shot, controlled it and started a fast break hoop the other direction.
Gordon swears he wasn't playing possum.
"It was all adrenalin," he said.
Said Eagleson: "That's just what he does."
His offensive game is still a work in progress though it's improving rapidly. He can face the basket and has a nice touch around the hoop. His shooting range is about 15 to 17 feet, though he rarely takes jumpers.
Mostly, Gordon is terrific on the break and he's superb at crashing the boards.
He was flashing all his skills last June for the USA U18 National Team when he was low-bridged going up for an ally-oop dunk against Brazil. He broke his right wrist and missed the rest of the camp.
His wrist was cast and he returned healthy for an AAU Las Vegas tournament in late July. By then, he went from a consensus top-15 recruit in the country to around 50. He's now at No. 31 by CSTV's Van Coleman.
"I just had to laugh," Gordon said. "I guess I got marked down because I wasn't playing. I can't worry about all that. I'm just happy to be playing with my guys this year and really looking forward to UCLA next year."
Gordon's father Ed played basketball at San Diego State and had tryouts in the NBA and NFL.
His mother Shelly said Drew has matured greatly since when he first showed up at Mitty and was immediately grilled and pestered by opposing fans and student body cheer sections.
"He's just so much calmer now," Shelly Gordon said. "When he broke his hand this summer he could have sat around and festered, but instead he went to South Africa and worked at an orphanage. He is visibly and internally much more grown up."
The oldest of three siblings, he's got a 6-3 sophomore sister Elizabeth who figures to be a big contributor to Mitty's defending state championship girls team. She was the MVP of an undefeated JV team last season.
Gordon's younger brother Aaron is a seventh grader and already 6-foot.
"He's probably going to be better than all of them," Shelly said. "He's a point-center right now and fundamentally he's way ahead of Drew at the same age."
That's because Drew Gordon was of all things a hockey player, growing up. He endured multiple concussions on the ice so took to the hardwood as a seventh grader, figuring there would be less contact.
It's turned out to be a different kind of contact, but one where Gordon thrives.
"I love the game so much and as long as I can play and have fun I have no worries what people say about me," he said. "I can only control what happens during the game."
Not always.
In last year's state finals, Mater Dei's Taylor King was awarded a second-quarter basket and then a free throw on a close blocking call against Gordon. King made the free throw to complete a three-point play.
A week later the CIF admitted that the referees blew the call, that King's original shot didn't go in the basket. It should have been just a two-shot foul.
Remember, the game went to overtime so the call proved vital.
"I tried to tell the referees that his shot didn't go in the basket and they thought I was arguing over the block call," Gordon said. "They threatened to `T' me up if I wasn't quiet."
That, on top of the overtime defeat, hasn't sat well with Gordon or his teammates.
"I think about that game and loss every day," Gordon said. "We all do. The day after we lost the entire team got together and started working out for this season. We all made a vow to get the job done this time and not let any opponent or call get in our way.
"That's exactly what we're prepared to do."
E-mail Mitch Stephens at mstephens@maxpreps.com.