IU recruit shines in Hoosier Reunion All-Star Classic just a week before he moves onto campus

KNIGHTSTOWN, Ind. – In the gym where Jimmy Chitwood – the character based on Bobby Plump in the movie “Hoosiers” – became a legend, Eric Gordon showed the Hoosier Gym’s standing-room-only crowd why he is IU’s most heralded recruit since Damon Bailey. \nGordon had a game-high 32 points Friday night and led the Chitwood-less Hickory Huskers over the Terhune Tigers, 145-119 in the second annual Hoosiers Reunion All-Star Classic. \nWith 6:35 left, Indiana’s 2007 Mr. Basketball capped off his night with a one-handed tomahawk dunk that felt as if it shook the 660-seat gym, which was the setting for “Hoosiers.”\nGordon’s teammate and IU class of 2008 recruit E’Shaunte Jones said his first time playing with Gordon was a memorable one. \n“Sometimes he’s just so amazing you just have to sit back and watch what he’s doing,” Jones said.\nThe All-Star games’ rosters provided a preview of a future rivalry. While Gordon and Jones, both Indiana-bound, played for Hickory, Terhune featured four Purdue recruits in E’Twaun Moore, Scott Martin, JaJuan Johnson and Rob Hummel.\nGordon was able to have his way most of the night with the Terhune defense. In addition to playing above the rim, Gordon also displayed his shooting range. After hitting several distant threes in the game, Gordon was asked if half-court on the short floor was within his range. \nGordon smiled and modestly replied, “Seems like it.”\nAlthough his dunk in the fourth quarter was the highlight of the night, Gordon said the slam wasn’t premeditated and came in the flow of the game.\n“I’m not really looking forward to doing any dunks,” he said. “But it’s always good to get a spectacular one.” \nGordon will begin to practice his moves full-time in Bloomington on June 15, when he arrives on campus for the first day of IU’s second summer session classes. \nThe incoming freshman said he plans to take a speech class and will be rooming with fellow IU recruit and Chicago native Brandon McGee. Like most freshmen, Gordon said he is looking forward to living on campus. \n“It’s a true college atmosphere,” Gordon said. “It will definitely be different than living in Indianapolis.” \nThe recruit said he is looking forward to playing under IU coach Kelvin Sampson and is aware of the upcoming rigorous practice schedule.\n“I just have to listen to what Coach says, because he knows I can work hard and thinks I can bring a lot to IU,” he said. \nGordon said the team would have regular morning practices, as early as 6 a.m., and have basketball activities in the afternoon as well. In particular, Gordon said he is looking forward to playing in open gym.\n“We’ll have a lot of stuff going on,” he said. \nThis will be a stark contrast to the beginning of Gordon’s summer, when he caught up on some rest. When he wasn’t practicing or working out, Gordon said he was “relaxing and just not doing anything. That’s about it.” \nOver Labor Day weekend, Gordon will travel with the Hoosiers to the Bahamas for IU’s foreign tour, the program’s first in more than a decade.\nIn addition to being a likely candidate for the team’s leading scorer, the Hoosiers can count on Gordon to be a handy travel guide. Gordon’s mother is from the Bahamas, and his family visits the island about three times a year. \nGordon has also spent a lot of time with his younger brothers, Evan, 16, and Eron, 9, this summer. Both brothers were in attendance Friday night and shed some light on their older brother.\n“He’s a quiet person,” Evan said. “But once you get to know him he talks a lot. He talks a lot to us.”\nBefore arriving in Bloomington for classes, Gordon will make a trip to Edgewood High School on Wednesday night to play with the Indiana High School All-Stars against the state’s top juniors. The game serves as a warm-up before the Indiana team takes on the Kentucky All-Stars later this summer.