Column: Former IU star Gordon should find spot in 2012 Olympic team

Seven years ago, 14-year-old Eric Gordon was asked to be a role player. 

Surrounded by Wisconsin-Milwaukee commit Anthony Passley and 2004 Indiana Mr. Basketball A.J. Ratliff at North Central High School in Indianapolis, the fact that the then-freshman guard was starting for a 21-4 Panthers team was a feat in itself.

It became pretty clear to Doug Mitchell, Gordon’s high school coach, that the player had another budding start donning a Panthers jersey.

“He works as hard as anyone I have ever seen,” Mitchell said. “You couple that with his physical ability, and then that kind of puts him off the chart. I think between his freshman and sophomore year, I’ve never seen somebody take that big of a leap and improve that much over the course of the summer.”

Fast-forward to summer 2010, and Gordon was being asked once again to be a role player on a team filled with talent.

This time, though, the players were world-class. The stage was bigger. And the name on the front of the jersey read “USA.”

Led by coach Mike Krzyzewski, the U.S. captured its first gold medal at the FIBA World Championship since 1994.

This year’s “B team” was centered around perhaps the best player in the world with Kevin Durant and his Herculean efforts throughout the tournament.

But no, this column is not about Durant’s all-world play. It’s about a role player off the bench, former IU star and 2008 Big Ten Freshman of the Year Eric Gordon.   

Without the play of Gordon, there is no question in my mind that Team USA would not have captured the gold medal.

The international game has taken significant strides, and for the U.S. team to consistently win gold medals at the World Championships and the Olympics, a sufficient bench is needed.

Coach K called Gordon’s number continuously throughout the tournament, and the 2007 Indiana Mr. Basketball delivered.  
 
Gordon was the leading scorer against both Croatia and Tunisia while routinely knocking down deep 3-pointers, which forced opponents out of the various zone defenses.

For the tournament, Gordon shot 45 percent from behind the arc and was the fourth leading scorer for the Americans.

“The more comfortable he became, the better,” Krzyzewski said in an interview at Team USA camp this summer. “In the open court, he’s so strong going to the basket. In the half court, he’s an outstanding shooter in addition to being a driver. Defensively, he can guard a bigger perimeter player.”

During the U.S. team camp during the summer, many pundits believed there was room for only one “shooter” on the roster. And that spot would fall to Stephen Curry, because he could also handle the point guard responsibilities when needed.

However, when Boston Celtics guard Rajon Rondo withdrew from the team because of “family obligations,” that left room for both sharp shooters on the roster.

“I think he was so proud to be able to represent his country,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell, who has coached various U.S. junior teams in the past, knows perhaps more than anyone what it means to don the red, white and blue.   

“Until you actually represent your country, you have no idea how special it really is,” Mitchell said. “I think he was honored to represent his country and, without doubt, that has to be one of the highlights of his basketball career.”

With 2008 Olympians Jason Kidd and Michael Redd getting up there in years, Gordon has put his name squarely into consideration for Coach K and the 2012 Olympics.

Despite having an undefeated record as the starting point guard for Team USA, Kidd is too old (39 when the games commence in 2012) to keep his spot as the floor general. I see Derrick Rose in for Kidd, giving Krzyzewski three viable options at point guard along with Chris Paul and Deron Williams.

Forwards Carlos Boozer and Tayshaun Prince are about as durable as Bob Sanders, and I see neither of them making the squad again in 2012. Durant is a lock to not only make the team but also start for the U.S. And I see Amare Stoudemire providing some much needed depth in the frontcourt.

Similarly, Redd is getting up there in years, and Coach K will look for a young shooter to take his spot.

Mr. Gordon, pack your bags for London.