Jul 2, 2008 - 5:47 PM
0 shoutsLOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday signed Eric Gordon, their first-round pick in last week's NBA draft.
Selected seventh overall, Gordon will receive $2.19 million this season, $2.35 million next season and $2.51 million in 2010-11 in accordance with the NBA's rookie pay scale.
Gordon's strength lies with his lethal jump shot, which he unveiled in his lone collegiate season at Indiana. Gordon has as much range as anybody in the rookie class and can score from the perimeter at will.
But there are questions about his body type and his ability to take the ball to the basket. His up-and-down freshman season also was not encouraging.
As impressive as he was during the first part of the college season, Gordon's most distinguishing trait in 2007-08 may have been how well he handled himself on two trying occasions.
Gordon battled through the hassle he received for backing out of his commitment to his hometown team (Illinois). He also had to deal with recruiting turmoil that surrounded the Indiana basketball program this season off the court.
The 19-year-old finished his freshman season averaging 20.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game, making 33.7% of his three-point shots and leading the Big Ten Conference in scoring.
