Benjamin Ashenafi Gordon (born April 4, 1983) is a British-American former professional basketball player. He played 11 seasons in the NBA and starred for the University of Connecticut, winning a national championship in 2004.
Gordon made history as the only player to win the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award as a rookie. He ranks fourth in career three-point field goals for the Chicago Bulls, behind Kirk Hinrich, Zach LaVine, and Coby White. Gordon also shares the NBA record for most three-pointers in a game without a miss (9).
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Ben Gordon Net Worth
Ben Gordon has a net worth of $20 million. After moving to New York as an infant, he excelled in high school basketball, leading the Mount Vernon Knights to the 2000 New York State Championship.
Gordon played college basketball for the University of Connecticut before being drafted by the Chicago Bulls in 2004. He earned the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award as a rookie and ranked second in career three-pointers for the Bulls. Gordon’s NBA career ended in 2015.
Early Life
Benjamin Gordon was born in London, England, to a Jamaican father and an African-American mother. He moved to the United States as an infant and grew up in Mount Vernon, New York.
Gordon played high school basketball for the Mount Vernon Knights, helping the team win the 2000 New York State Public and Federation Championships. An All-State player and top-40 national recruit, Gordon was heavily recruited by Seton Hall but chose to attend UConn, where he later became a key player.
Career
Benjamin Gordon had a standout college career at UConn, earning Second Team All-Big East honors and leading the Huskies to an NCAA championship in 2004. He declared for the NBA draft and was selected third overall by the Chicago Bulls.
After retiring, Gordon faced legal and mental health struggles, including arrests in 2017 for incidents involving fire alarms, assault, and robbery. He revealed his battle with bipolar disorder in 2020 and was later arrested multiple times, including for alleged violence in 2022 and 2023.
Personal life
Ben Gordon’s ex-girlfriend, Ashley Banks, claims that a “Karen” at LaGuardia Airport triggered his arrest for allegedly striking his 10-year-old son, Elijah Gordon. Banks, who dated Gordon from 2016 to 2020, denies the allegations, stating that Gordon did not harm his son.
She accuses the woman, who recognized Gordon, of escalating the situation, which led to the charges of assault and resisting arrest. Banks further stated that the incident traumatized the child.
What happened with Ben Gordon?
Ben Gordon faced several legal issues in recent years. In October 2022, he was charged with punching his son at New York’s LaGuardia Airport. Later, in November 2022, he was charged with a misdemeanor in Chicago for allegedly punching a McDonald’s security guard. These incidents followed a pattern of legal troubles and mental health struggles for the former NBA player.
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Conclusion
Despite the troubles that have shadowed him post-retirement, Gordon’s net worth remains significant, a testament to his career achievements and his once-lucrative salary in the NBA.
FAQ about Ben Gordon
- How did Ben Gordon accumulate his wealth?
- Gordon earned his wealth primarily through his NBA salaries over an 11-year career.
- What is Ben Gordon’s most notable basketball achievement?
- Winning the Sixth Man of the Year award and a national championship with UConn stand out as his top achievements.
- Has Ben Gordon’s net worth been affected by his legal troubles?
- While legal issues can have financial repercussions, Gordon’s current net worth remains substantial.
- What has Ben Gordon done since retiring?
- Gordon has faced personal challenges, including dealing with mental health issues, and his retirement life has been somewhat tumultuous.
- How has Ben Gordon’s net worth compared to other NBA players?
- While impressive, Gordon’s net worth is moderate when compared to the top earners in the NBA, many of whom have amassed wealth through extended careers and endorsement deals.
