BORN: 28/09/2000
LAST TEAM: Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles (NCAA)
HEIGHT: 203 cm
WEIGHT: 100 kg
PRO
- Good finisher
- Mobility and dynamism
- Basketball IQ
WEAKNESSES
- 3-P consistency on high volume
- Not an elite athlete
- Defensive awareness
VIDEO
ACTUAL
POTENTIAL
INTRODUCTION
DeAntoni Gordon began his collegiate basketball career at Wichita State where he had a limited role off the bench. He then transferred to JuCo and finally to Little Rock, where he played two full seasons and one redshirt year. In the 2022-23 season, Gordon earned Second Team All-Ohio Valley Conference honors, leading the team in points per game and second in rebounds. In the following season, he helped the Trojans reach the OVC finals, which they lost to Riley Minix. For his final season, he transferred to the Golden Eagles where he is part of the starting five.
PHYSICAL
DeAntoni Gordon is a dynamic, mobile player who makes his footwork ability a key strength. He possesses a solid build, not overly muscular but still able to absorb physical contacts. He runs well on the court and has good lateral quickness, combined with a solid understanding of the game. However, he is not an overly explosive or particularly athletic player, has an average motor, and combines his skills well with teammate Denijay Harris.
OFFENSIVE PHASE
DeAntoni Gordon is a versatile scorer, capable of playing both facing and with his back to the basket, offering a good number of options to score. Efficient around the basket, last season at Little Rock he had a 53.9% shooting percentage on 2-pointers with 8.5 attempts. He excels in scoring in the post and has a reliable mid-range jumper, but he is very skilled at cutting from the weak side. When involved in short-roll situations, he can find a pass (1.3 assists per game), but it’s hard to see him going deep or finishing above the rim. While not primarily known as a three-point shooter, he has occasionally stretched the floor, though with limited attempts (34.5% on 0.9 attempts). His dynamism and mobility make him hard to cut off, and his offensive game is complemented by his ability to secure offensive rebounds (1.6 per game), providing second-chance opportunities for his team. He is not a pure scorer but a player capable of making the right choice often.
DEFENSIVE PHASE
DeAntoni Gordon is active and utilizes his physical tools to be effective on the defensive end. His lateral quickness allows him to guard multiple positions and switch on the perimeter, effectively containing his opponent. He also puts his body on the line in mismatch situations against big men, even though he lacks the strength to push them back for long. He is a fairly disciplined defender in rotations and maintaining position, though it is rare to see him be aggressive in anticipation of passing lanes. Gordon is decent on the boards (4.9 per game with the Golden Eagles) and serves as a solid rim protector in help situations against guards driving to the basket (1.1 blocks per game). Improving his defensive awareness and consistency could enhance his impact on this end of the floor.
IMPROVED AREAS
DeAntoni Gordon to maximize his impact at the professional level, focusing on expanding his offensive versatility, increasing his defensive presence, and refining his athleticism will be key. Becoming a more reliable three-point shooter with higher volume could make him a more dangerous offensive weapon. On the defensive end, improving his awareness and taking a more aggressive approach in passing lanes. Lastly, working on his explosiveness and strength could help him finish more effectively around the rim and hold his ground better against stronger opponents. If he can make these adjustments, he has the potential to be a valuable two-way player in the right system in a mid-low level league.