Andrew Wiggins
A Canadian wing with sublime athleticism who evolved from a hyped prospect into a vital, two-way champion for the Golden State Warriors.
Born 1995 (age 31)·Canadian basketball player·Birthday: February 23·Millennials
Biography
Andrew Wiggins entered the basketball world bearing the heavy label of 'The Next Big Thing.' Hailed as the best Canadian prospect ever, his one year at Kansas was a prelude to being the first overall pick in 2014. Early in his career with the Minnesota Timberwolves, he put up scoring numbers but faced criticism for inconsistent effort and defense. His narrative transformed utterly with a 2020 trade to the Golden State Warriors. In the Bay Area's demanding system, Wiggins reinvented himself. He embraced a role that prioritized lockdown defense and efficient scoring, shedding the 'disappointing' tag. His crowning moment came in the 2022 NBA Finals, where he was arguably the Warriors' second-most important player, hounding Jayson Tatum and providing crucial offense to secure the title. His journey is a testament to the power of environment and self-reinvention in professional sports.
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.
Andrew was born in 1995, 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 Andrew Was Born
The biggest hits of 1995
#1 Movie
Toy Story
Best Picture
Braveheart
#1 TV Show
Seinfeld
Andrew's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1995Born
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
2000Started school
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2008Became a teenager
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2011Could drive
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2013Could vote
Edward Snowden reveals NSA surveillance programs
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $152,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Thrift Shop" — Macklemore & Ryan LewisBest Picture: 12 Years a Slave
2016Turned 21
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
2025Turned 30
AI agents go mainstream
Gas: $3.10/galHome: $385,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"APT." — Rose & Bruno Mars
2026Age 31 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the 2022 NBA Championship with the Golden State Warriors, playing a pivotal two-way role in the Finals.
- Named the NBA Rookie of the Year for the 2014–15 season after being the first overall draft pick.
- Selected as an NBA All-Star starter for the first time in 2022, representing the Western Conference.
- Won a gold medal with the Canadian national team at the 2015 FIBA Americas Championship.
Did You Know?
Both of his parents were elite athletes; his father, Mitchell, played in the NBA, and his mother, Marita, was an Olympic silver medalist sprinter for Canada.
He was the first Canadian basketball player to be selected first overall in the NBA draft.
In high school, he was named the Gatorade National Player of the Year and Naismith Prep Player of the Year.
He holds the Timberwolves' franchise record for points scored in a game by a rookie (47).
“I feel like I’m one of the best defenders in the league. I guard the best player every night.”
