Work ethic, steady improvement leads to "surreal moment" for Purdue 2025 signee Avery Gordon
The standout from Brownsburg is expected to give the Boilermakers a strong inside presence during her career
Avery Gordon calls herself “a goat girl,” which has nothing to do with the label “The Greatest of All Time.”
Not that Gordon can’t move into that category, but the recent Purdue women’s basketball signee is actually a goat girl. As in the animal.
The proof? She had goats named Pacer, Fever, and Paintbrush. Two basketball names and one out of left field.
“It looked like she dipped her tail in a bucket of paint. It had a little pink splotch,” Gordon said, laughing.
Raising pigs, goats, and other livestock as an active 4-H member installed a strong fabric in Gordon’s upbringing, and the work ethic away from basketball paid off on the floor for the 6-foot-6 standout at Brownsburg.
Gordon won her share of blue ribbons and other awards, giving her a foundation for future success regardless of the sport she pursued. She played volleyball through the seventh grade and switched her focus to basketball as her primary sport.
Gordon is one of three players to join the Boilermakers from the 2025 recruiting class next season. Gordon made it official last month after signing her paperwork.
“It meant a lot. It was just so cool,” said Gordon, who committed to the Boilermakers in October 2023. “I've known I've been able to play college basketball forever, but just the fact that a dream is coming true, and I know where I’m going.
“I love the people I'm going be doing it with. I'm just super excited. It was such a surreal moment finally putting pen to paper. I'm really excited.”
She wanted a non-athletic experience to become more well-rounded and help mold and shape her personality.
“I like to do other stuff outside my sport,” Gordon said. “It's important for athletes to have that, and I feel like it was a fun outlet. If I didn't have a good game, I can go out and hang out with my animals or something like that.”
No more pigs, goats, and livestock to share her feelings and emotions with after games. Now it’s dogs and a barn cat.
Gordon, though, rarely has subpar games.
There are not many players at the high school level who can defend Gordon or keep her from touching the basketball. Throw a pass up high, and Gordon will catch, turn, and shoot all in one motion.
Several years ago, she learned not to bring the ball down from her mother, Kathleen Gilstrap. The constant reminder started in middle school and continues to this day.
“I had that drilled into me, so I'm happy about that,” Gordon said. “It is pretty automatic. It’s pretty natural to keep the ball high.”
Gordon’s passing skills have improved during her career if opponents try to bring multiple defenders. Because of her size, keeping Gordon from touching the ball is a tough task. Once she’s cemented on the block and her teammates can get her the ball, the outcome is predictable.
“Avery's conditioning at her size and her ability to move, and she has some of the softest hands and her ability to catch really bad passes,” Gearlds said last month when Gordon signed. “When her body kind of catches up to her size, she gets in the weight room a little bit more, and she just gets natural strength from being here and training at this level.”
Gordon totaled 36 points, 14 rebounds, and seven blocked shots against Colombia City two weeks ago in the Sneakers for Santa Shootout at Brownsburg. Through nine games, Gordon is averaging 18.8 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks for the Bulldogs.
Adding Gordon and fellow 2025 signee Kira Reynolds gives Gearlds and her staff options in using their post players. Reynolds isn’t a back-to-the-basket player but rather one who can play on the perimeter to utilize her athletic skills.
She’s looking forward to teaming up with Reynolds and Purdue’s other post players.
“I’ve always been the biggest person on the court,” said Reynolds, who is 6-4 and gifted athletically. “It will be fun because I like doing the whole high-low action. I think that's something that we can do. It would be fun to play with someone taller than me because it’s rarely ever happened. I can't remember a time, to be honest.”
Gordon’s play this season can be tied to her performance during the offseason on the AAU circuit.
“I felt pretty good how I performed over the summer,” she said. “My goal is always, how can I help my teammates, either it’s scoring, rebounding.
Gordon played in numerous events and showcases around the country, looking to fine-tune her skills and add another layer of preparation before arriving in West Lafayette. Gordon received praise throughout the summer for her play.
“As a post player, you don't always get the recognition, and it's great to see that people notice some things,” she said. “It feels really good.”
NEXT FIVE GAMES
Saturday: Kentucky, 5 p.m. (BTN)
Dec. 17: at Miami (Ohio), 7 p.m. (ESPN+)
Dec. 21: Indiana State, 2 p.m. (B1G+)
Dec. 29: at Iowa, 3 p.m. (B1G+)
Jan. 1: at Michigan State, 2 p.m. (B1G+)