Calm before the storm

Eighteen-year-old Eric Gordon stands to the side of the court at Freedom Hall in Louisville, Ky. His face drips with sweat, yet he’s completely relaxed. A barrage of young fans, armed with posters, photos and Sharpies, frantically pushes its way toward the teenager.\nHe’s the calm before the storm.\nEric just got done playing in the McDonald’s All American Game, a nationally televised showcase of the most talented high school senior basketball players in the country.\nAll the while, Eric’s father, Eric Gordon Sr., stands to the side of the chaos. A large smile fills his face as he snaps photos with his cell phone’s camera.\n“E.J., we gotta go!” he yells to his son.\nEric Jr., known by many as “E.J.,” responds with a nod and slowly walks toward his father, who sticks out of the crowd in his crimson-colored IU polo shirt. A pair of security guards lead the two away as the fans continue to follow Eric Jr., yelling and screaming in a futile attempt to grab his attention.\nMost high school seniors would tremble and crack under the pressure of such a situation. Most high school students walk through the hallways and exchange a few nods and words with friends but remain unknown to the majority of the school population. For Gordon, it’s simply not the normal treatment an 18-year-old high school student receives. Most high school students don’t have their names plastered across T-shirts that are sold throughout a Big Ten university’s campus. Most students don’t garner national attention when they change their minds about which college they want to attend.\nBut then again, most high school students don’t play basketball like IU recruit Eric Gordon does.\nFor most IU fans, “Air Gordon” needs no introduction. Ever since IU coach Kelvin Sampson’s hiring about one year ago, the 6-foot-4 guard’s name has been on the tip of every IU fan’s tongue, and especially the media’s. There’s a rationale for it though, one that Sampson recognizes.\n“There are a lot of reasons why the focus will be on Eric (Gordon), as he’s from Indiana and an outstanding player,” the IU coach said a few days after the IU basketball season ended. “Eric Gordon is a great passer and an outstanding defender.”\nGordon’s no slouch as a scorer, either. The North Central High School senior led his Panthers squad to this year’s Class 4A state title game, where he dropped 25 points in his team’s loss to East Chicago – thought of as a disappointment by many, considering Gordon scored 50 in the teams’ first match. Despite the loss, he’s made a strong case for Mr. Basketball this season, averaging 31.6 points, 6.4 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game. The list of accolades and accomplishments seems endless, but Gordon managed to deliver his best performances in the most important situations.\nIn February he racked up 43 points against Illinois’ Loyola Academy, the team that boasts basketball legend Michael Jordan’s sons, Jeffrey and Marcus. And the reasons they call Eric Jr. “Air Gordon” – like they call M.J. “Air Jordan” – are apparent to many.\n“E.J. Gordon is a dynamic player,” Sampson said on IU’s signing day in November. “Offensively, there’s so many different ways that he can score in basketball. ... Obviously, there are areas that he can get a lot better in, but this kid scores really high on the ‘wow’ scale.”\nGordon’s “wow” factor caused him to be one of the most sought-after recruits in the country for the past year. He is ranked as the No. 1 guard in the nation, according to recruiting Web site Rivals.com, and garnered national media attention during his recruitment process. Some of his oncourt accomplishments were quickly overshadowed by the news of his de-commitment from Illinois and coach Bruce Weber. But all the while, Gordon continued to wow fans, scouts, coaches and media with his high-scoring, high-intensity game – along with his quiet, calm personality.\nUnder Sampson, Gordon realizes he’s yet to solidify a spot in the Hoosiers’ starting lineup, but he said he’s prepared to play either guard position for the Hoosiers and his newest coach.\n“Whatever is the best fit for me (is what I’ll play), especially under (Sampson’s) standards,” Gordon said. “I think I might play a little bit of 1 and 2 next year. ... That’s basically where I’m best, I’m used to playing point and a little bit of shooting guard. ... I like to be more of a complete overall guard. That’s the expectation – scoring and being able to handle the ball. That’s the best fit for it.”\nRegardless of where he plays, Gordon said he’s confident he can score the ball. His newest coach knows it too. On signing day, Sampson referred to Gordon as an “impact guard,” one who can single-handedly take control of a game.\n“I watched him play at an event in April. The thing that stood out to me is his swagger,” Sampson said. “He walks onto the court and he knows that he belongs there. He wants the ball in his hands, and he can really score. The challenge with E.J. when he gets to Indiana is challenging him to get better, challenging him to improve and get better, and I think he will.”\nGordon says he’s ready for college and the challenges he’ll face. He’s ready to embrace the IU community and Hoosier basketball fans. Playing in the McDonald’s All American game helped prepare him for that future, he said.\n“I mean, you’re playing against the top kids in (high school), and I’m sure they’re going to be one of the top players on their college teams,” he said. “So this is a lot like college.”\nAs Gordon prepares for his first year at IU, he realizes IU fans will expect big things from him and the rest of the Hoosiers squad. And he wouldn’t expect anything less.\n“Well, expectations are really high, but I think we’re gonna be a really good team next year,” he said. “But you never know what’s gonna happen.”\nNeither Gordon nor Sampson – nor any IU fans, for that matter – know what will happen next year. Some dream, if big man D.J. White stays in school another year, that the Hoosiers could be bound for the Final Four.\nBut what all of them do know is that Eric Gordon is headed to Bloomington. They know the Hoosiers will be getting one of the top high school basketball players in the nation, an Indiana native and a big-time scorer.\nUntil then, Eric Gordon remains the calm before the storm.