Ben Gordon, who will play for Great Britain’s national team in Eurobasket 2017, has enjoyed an 11-year-long NBA career, and after being out of the league for a year, hopes to return to the league this season. From ESPN’s Ian Begley:
Q: Are you still looking for a chance to return to the NBA?
A: Yeah, definitely. I would definitely love to get back in the league after being out for a year. Just watching the way the game is being played, up and down. Obviously, the 3-point shot is always a big deal but it seems like just now, more than ever, that shot is being used more and more. So I feel like I can still play at a high level and shoot that 3-ball and add that kind of depth to a team that may be looking to fulfill that need. So yeah, I definitely have hopes of making a return with an NBA team or just playing period, wherever that may be.
Q: You’ve been training over the past year. How would you describe your game right now?
A: I can still hit [the 3-point] shot with consistency. My shot hasn’t left me. I’m still a good shooter. That’s one of those skills that, you put so much time in over your career, after practice, before practice, that’s not something that leaves you easily. I’m still honing that skill. It’s still a very important part of the game obviously. It’s still something I love to do. So the shot is still there.
Q: What was last year like for you while you were waiting for another chance to play?
A: It was tough man, I was training. But it was the first time where I was training but it wasn’t for a team. I was training to stay in shape and waiting for a call from your agent to see what happens. It was very different. I went through a period when I was training and I took time off, and started training again. It was a long year. I did get a chance to spend more time with my family, so that was very rewarding. But I look forward to getting back on the court this year, hopefully it’s with an NBA team. If not, I have to see what my options are. But I definitely look forward to continuing my basketball career, to continue playing.
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Q: How are you feeling physically?
A: I feel pretty good, man. I feel pretty good. I didn’t play last season, didn’t have a contract with anybody. After not playing last season and kind of getting back to the swing of things, I’m looking forward to this opportunity to just go out and play and have fun and play with some of those guys that I never got a chance to in Great Britain. So like I said, I feel good and I’m just looking forward to it.
Gordon has always been a shooter. In his rookie year in the NBA, he shot 40.5% from long distance, and he holds a 40.1% career average from that range. At age 33, Gordon likely still has a few good years left in the tank. Teams can always use shooters, so it’s pretty hard to imagine that Gordon would have difficulty making an NBA comeback.
