Bill Amis
A sharpshooting forward who carved out a globe-trotting professional career after leading the University of Hawaii to historic success.
Born 1987 (age 39)·American basketball player·Birthday: October 25·Millennials
Biography
Bill Amis's basketball journey is a map of persistence. The Oklahoma native wasn't a headline recruit, but at the University of Hawaii, he blossomed into a versatile forward with a reliable mid-range shot. His senior season was a landmark, as he helped guide the Rainbow Warriors to their first NCAA tournament victory in over a decade, a moment that electrified the island. Undrafted by the NBA, Amis embraced the life of a basketball nomad, proving his worth across Europe. From the tough leagues of Germany and Belgium to courts in France and Cyprus, he became the archetypal reliable American import—a smart defender, a consistent scorer, and a professional who adapted his game to every new team's needs for nearly a decade.
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.
Bill was born in 1987, 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 Bill Was Born
The biggest hits of 1987
#1 Movie
Three Men and a Baby
Best Picture
The Last Emperor
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Bill's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1987Born
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1992Started school
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2000Became a teenager
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
2003Could drive
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
2005Could vote
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2008Turned 21
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
2017Turned 30
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 39 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Key player in the University of Hawaii's 2011 team that won the WAC tournament and an NCAA tournament game.
- Played professional basketball in six different European countries over an eight-year career.
- Named to the All-WAC Second Team in his senior collegiate season.
Did You Know?
He scored a career-high 23 points in Hawaii's 2011 NCAA tournament win over Utah State.
Amis played for the Oklahoma City Thunder's summer league team in 2011.
His final professional season was with Okapi Aalstar in the Belgian league.
“My role was to stretch the defense and hit that fifteen-footer.”
