Another Aaron Gordon evaluation

Here's Eric Bossi on Aaron Gordon:

When you are ranked No. 6 nationally, it is awfully tough to be underrated. However, after another viewing of 6-foot-8 combo forward Aaron Gordon from San Jose (Calif.) Archbishop Mitty, it's hard not to think that he's just that.

There are still aspects of the game where Gordon needs to improve. The 17-year-old needs work with his jumper. He still needs to add a little bit of strength and he lacks the ideal size of a power forward or overall perimeter skill of a small forward.

That said, the positives about Gordon's game far outweigh the negatives and it also has to be understood that any examination of his game is done under an intense microscope because he's such an elite-level talent.

Here's what we know is not going to change with Gordon. He's always going to be a freaky athlete with great length and a non-stop motor. He's always going to be a high-level rebounder, big-time finisher around the rim and outstanding passer. We can reasonably expect that his ball-handling and shooting will continue to improve as they have over the past year. Also, it's hard not to take into account the fact that Gordon is the youngest of the elite-ranked players in his class and won't turn 18 until mid-September of his freshman year.

Because of all of that, it is fair to say that Gordon is a bit underrated at this juncture.