Aaron Gordon ready for national spotlight in NIT Season Tip-Off

Aaron Gordon has no trouble throwing down dunks; instead, he's trying to improve his jump shot.

Kent C. Horner/Getty Images

For Gordon, the studying never seems to end. When Parker, Wiggins, Randle and the other Kentucky freshmen were showcased in the Champions Classic games (Michigan State vs. Kentucky and Kansas vs. Duke) in Chicago on Nov. 12, Gordon sat in Johnson's house and scribbled down notes. "With Duke and Kentucky I could see that the offenses are heavily oriented toward (Parker and Randle)," says Gordon. "Which isn't a bad thing. It's cool." But that's not Gordon's role with Wildcats, which have depth and upper-class experience in the backcourt and future NBA players all over the front court. "I think here I'm more of a glue guy, with a lot of talent," he says. "And that works out for everybody. Because winning is the biggest accolade, you know?"