Al Jefferson
A low-post maestro whose old-school footwork and scoring touch made him a nightly double-double threat for over a decade in the NBA.
Born 1985 (age 41)·American basketball player·Birthday: January 4·Millennials
Biography
Al Jefferson emerged from Prentiss, Mississippi, as a high school phenom, bypassing college to leap directly into the 2004 NBA draft. His game was a throwback, built on a foundation of impeccable footwork and soft hands around the basket, a craft he honed in an era increasingly dominated by perimeter play. While his early years with the Boston Celtics showed promise, it was in Minnesota and later Utah where he became a focal point, a bruising scorer who commanded double-teams. His career pinnacle came with the Charlotte Hornets, where his refined post artistry earned him All-NBA honors in 2014, validating his unique, ground-bound style. Jefferson’s 14-season journey stands as a testament to the enduring value of fundamental skill, a big man who carved out space and respect on his own terms.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Al was born in 1985, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Al Was Born
The biggest hits of 1985
#1 Movie
Back to the Future
Best Picture
Out of Africa
#1 TV Show
Dynasty
Al's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1985Born
Live Aid concerts raise money for Ethiopian famine
Gas: $1.12/galHome: $62,900Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Careless Whisper" — Wham!Best Picture: Out of Africa
1990Started school
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1998Became a teenager
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2001Could drive
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2003Could vote
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2006Turned 21
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2015Turned 30
Paris climate agreement; same-sex marriage legalized in the US
Gas: $2.43/galHome: $171,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson ft. Bruno MarsBest Picture: Spotlight
2025Turned 40
AI agents go mainstream
Gas: $3.10/galHome: $385,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"APT." — Rose & Bruno Mars
2026Age 41 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Earned All-NBA Third Team honors in 2014 as a member of the Charlotte Hornets.
- Averaged a double-double for three consecutive seasons (2007-2010) with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
- Scored a career-high 40 points against the Miami Heat in 2014.
- Played 14 seasons in the NBA for five different franchises.
Did You Know?
He was nicknamed 'Big Al' throughout his basketball career.
Jefferson was drafted 15th overall by the Boston Celtics straight out of high school.
He led the NBA in two-point field goals made during the 2013-14 season.
After retirement, he served as a player development coach for the Indiana Pacers.
“My game is built on the low block; footwork and touch never go out of style.”
