Incoming Purdue women's basketball freshman Avery Gordon reaches new height
At 6-foot-7, the Brownsburg graduate becomes the tallest player in program history
GREENFIELD, Ind. - After a weekend visiting her grandparents, Avery Gordon’s mother, Kathleen Gilstrap, noticed something different.
“My mom was like, ‘Oh, you look like you’ve gotten taller. Let’s measure you when we get home,’ ” Gordon recalled.
Gilstrap’s instincts were right, and her daughter now stands 6-foot-7 after being listed at 6-6 during her senior season at Brownsburg. The additional inch is noteworthy since Gordon will become the tallest player in Purdue women’s basketball history.
Gordon leapfrogged former players Summer Erb, Nora Kiesler, Ra Shaya Kyle, and Michele VanGorp, all of whom were listed at 6-6.
Are expectations different at 6-7 compared to 6-6?
“A little bit,” Gordon said. “You’re expected to be better.”
The impact of Gordon and the rest of the newcomers, including several transfers, is one key question facing coach Katie Gearlds and the Boilermakers next season.
Gordon and the rest of the team are scheduled to report to campus on June 13, and the first summer workout is June 16 as preparations ramp up for the 2025-26 season.
Before arriving in West Lafayette, Gordon finishes up her high school career as a member of the Indiana All-Stars, which will face Kentucky on Friday in Lexington and on Saturday in Indianapolis.
Gordon totaled seven points and five rebounds in Wednesday’s victory over the Indiana Junior All-Stars in Greenfield.
“It’s sad knowing this is my last time being a high school basketball player here in Indiana, but it's definitely a great way to cap off my career,” she said.
Gordon finished with 1,626 points - the second most in program history - along with 816 rebounds and 227 blocked shots. She shot 56% from the field and recorded 43 double-doubles as a four-year starter for the Bulldogs. As a senior, Gordon led the state in field goal percentage (59%).
But after Saturday, the focus shifts to the Boilermakers.
Gordon will see plenty of new faces once the team comes together in West Lafayette.
Her future roommate - freshman Keona Douwstra - isn’t scheduled to arrive until July after playing for The Netherlands in the FIBA U20 Eurobasket competition. Israeli guard Hila Karsh’s arrival depends on how quickly her international visa is processed. Note: Purdue announced the signing of Karsh on Friday
Several players who were part of the program when Gordon committed have since transferred.
MORE: 2026 in-state target keeping options open | Indiana State transfer joins 2025-26 roster | Why Avery Gordon is a goat girl |
“I'm looking forward to meeting all the girls, and I can't wait to get on campus and see all of them,” she said. “Even though it is completely different when I committed, I still have faith that these are great girls, and I'm excited to meet them. They're so talented, and I'm looking forward to creating relationships with them.”
She’ll spend time in the weight room adding strength and improving her conditioning level to match the intensity and quickness of the college game. Like her height, Gordon wants to grow her game outside of the post and bring versatility to the Boilermakers.
“I'm just looking forward to getting better,” Gordon said. “Every day I'm like, ‘Oh, I can't wait to be the best person for myself.’ I know that they're going to make me a great basketball player. I'm looking forward to continuing to get better every day.”
I think the things that Katie was looking for this year to make a big improvement on the team—- Get more athletic— Get bigger and taller and more physical on the front line.—Find the OFFENCE that she wants to run —which means a proven point guard—- Personally—- I think she checked all the boxes in these areas— I am waiting to see the results— Ed from Wanamaker
WELL-The 2025 team is complete— -might be one more— but the recruiting is over— The old saying “What you see is what you get”—is here.— now— it is up the the coaching staff to put a competitive team on the floor.. They have a big job ahead of them— and it starts in a week or so.— Here is what I see— not a lot of individual high scoring coming in— maybe a couple who averaged over 10 points a game— but we did not get a Girl that can get 15 to 18 points a game— We can find one in this group— I would say that we must find a GO TO Player.—lets look at the strengths of this team— Rebounding— Ball Handling—- Defense and a Point Guard—OK—I can see that could be our strengths—but—we have to find some consistent scorers— This is big.—-By looking at the roster individually— yes —we will find players that can score. — they are here and all they have to do is produce— we have some shooters on this team— I have no doubt— I’m not going to call them out— but Katie knows who can score— just to mention 3– I think our centers will have a very good year—they are sophomores now and are ready to go.— We have the making of a team that can compete and I can’t wait for to see them— GO BOILERS !!