Hoosiers' Gordon feels right at home
By C.L. Brown
September 2, 2007
NASSAU, Bahamas -- Eric Gordon has put up big numbers before in the Bahamas, usually with a fishing pole in hand.
The Indiana University freshman guard grew up taking frequent trips to Nassau to visit his mother's side of the family. About 30 family members, who are used to seeing Gordon catch fish on boating trips, turned out to watch him take the basketball court Saturday.
"This time they get to see what he loves to do, which is play basketball," said his father, Eric Sr. "They get to see him in a different light. They can gain a better appreciation of all the hard work he's put forth over the years."
Gordon scored 33 points to lead the Hoosiers past Guatemala 103-41 on the second day of a three-game tour of the Bahamas. IU will conclude its trip at noon today against Commonwealth Bank Club.
"It's like a second home to me," Gordon said.
IU coach Kelvin Sampson has a close friend who arranged Oklahoma's Costa Rican tour on Labor Day weekend in 2004. That came in handy when the Hoosiers scheduled this trip.
"I remember last year we found out that his (Gordon's) mother was from the Bahamas, and we'd already talked to one of my best friends (who) works for sports tours," Sampson said. "We told him set us up a trip down here."
Gordon led the team in scoring for a second straight game, following a 30-point effort in Friday's 106-46 win over Bahamas Select.
Senior forward D.J. White added 13 points and six rebounds in 14 minutes for IU. Guard Armon Bassett (15) and forward DeAndre Thomas (12) were the only other Hoosiers who scored in double figures.
The Hoosiers held Guatemala without a field goal in the first 10 minutes, and it led 28-1 after the first period.
Gordon's family loved every minute of the blowout.
Denise Gordon, Eric's mother, said she left the Bahamas 21 years ago for Indianapolis. Her parents, DaCosta and Rosamund Williams, each had seven siblings who remained in Nassau.
Eric Jr. said the first call he made when he learned IU would be visiting was to his grandparents. Most of his family from Nassau has had limited opportunities to see him play live.
On family vacations, Gordon became familiar with indoor and outdoor courts in the Bahamas.
"I played pickup here all the time," he said. "I know a couple of the guys on the Bahamian national team. It's just good to be here."
How long Gordon will have a college career remains to be seen. Denise Gordon said that, had the NBA not implemented its age-eligibility rule last season, he had their blessings to go straight from high school.
"We probably would have allowed him -- his dad and I discussed that before," she said. "But, obviously, we would have been there to guide him. Just like, if he does go out next year, we would be there to guide him."
