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SAN JOSE — The high school boys basketball player of the decade electrified gyms across the Bay Area — and beyond — with rim-rattling dunks and plenty more during an unforgettable run at Archbishop Mitty.
In the pre-Open Division era, Aaron Gordon led the San Jose Catholic school to California Interscholastic Federation Division II state championships in 2011 and 2012 and nearly ended his high school career with a third state crown.
As a senior in 2013, the 6-foot-8 future NBA lottery selection put an entirely new cast of teammates on his broad shoulders, guiding Mitty from a rough December to the first Northern California Open Division championship.
Gordon was a clear choice for Bay Area Preps HQ player of the decade.
“He always plays his best when the lights are shining brightest,” Mitty coach Tim Kennedy said at the time
Even in defeat, Gordon was special.
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In the inaugural Open Division state final, he had 22 points and 20 rebounds but Mitty came up short against Southern California giant Mater Dei 50-45.
Gordon was more than flashy dunks, points and rebounds. He had the drive to win and took defeat hard, believing he could have done more.
In the moments after his final game at Mitty, the loss to Mater Dei at Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento, Gordon said, “I’m leaving high school on a loss. They’re the only school in the state Open Division to go out on a win, and I hate that feeling with all my heart.”
Five days later, in an interview for being named Mercury News player of the year for the third consecutive season, Gordon added, “I wish I could go back. If I had played a little bit better, I strongly believe we would have won that game.”
After finishing at Mitty, the McDonald’s All-American went on to help Arizona reach the Elite Eight in his one season in the desert, then was taken No. 4 overall by the Orlando Magic in the 2014 NBA draft.
In 2016, Gordon put on a stunning display of creativity at the NBA dunk contest, flying over a mascot who was spinning on Hoverboard, only to lose to Zach LaVine.
“Every single day somebody tells me that I got robbed,” Gordon told this news organization later that year.
Named California’s Mr. Basketball by Cal-Hi Sports as a junior and senior, Gordon finished his high school career with 2,386 points and 1,666 rebounds, a Central Coast Section record in both categories.
“I think he’s the best player ever from the CCS,” Mark Tennis, longtime editor of Cal-Hi Sports, said shortly after the Gordon era at Mitty ended.
How choice was made
The players of the decade and the all-decade teams were chosen in a vote by the Bay Area Preps HQ staff.