Bradley Beal
A smooth, high-scoring shooting guard whose lethal three-point shot and backcourt partnership defined the Washington Wizards for a generation.
Born 1993 (age 33)·American basketball player·Birthday: June 28·Millennials
Biography
Bradley Beal arrived in Washington as the third overall pick, a polished scorer from Florida with a picture-perfect jumper. He quickly evolved from a promising rookie into one of the NBA's most consistent and dangerous offensive weapons. For over a decade with the Wizards, he was the franchise's cornerstone, forming a dynamic and prolific backcourt with John Wall that became known as 'Wall and Beal.' His scoring prowess peaked with back-to-back seasons averaging over 30 points per game, earning him three All-Star selections. While team success in Washington was often elusive, Beal's loyalty and production were unwavering, culminating in a massive contract extension that signaled his value. A trade to the Phoenix Suns, and later a move to the Los Angeles Clippers, placed him in a new role as a elite supporting star, tasked with using his shooting gravity and playmaking to chase the championship that has so far eluded him.
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.
Bradley was born in 1993, 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 Bradley Was Born
The biggest hits of 1993
#1 Movie
Jurassic Park
Best Picture
Schindler's List
#1 TV Show
60 Minutes
Bradley's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1993Born
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
1998Started school
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2006Became a teenager
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
2009Could drive
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2011Could vote
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
2014Turned 21
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2023Turned 30
ChatGPT goes mainstream; Israel-Hamas war begins
Gas: $3.52/galHome: $361,600Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Flowers" — Miley CyrusBest Picture: Oppenheimer
2026Age 33 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Selected as an NBA All-Star three times (2018, 2019, 2021).
- Averaged over 30 points per game in two consecutive seasons (2019-20 and 2020-21).
- Named to the All-NBA Third Team in the 2020-21 season.
- Holds numerous Washington Wizards franchise scoring records, including most points in a single game (60).
Did You Know?
His nickname is 'Big Panda,' a moniker given to him by a childhood friend.
He was a high school teammate of fellow NBA player Austin Rivers at Chaminade College Preparatory School.
He won a gold medal with Team USA at the 2010 FIBA Under-17 World Championship.
“I want to be the best two-guard in the league. That's always been my goal since I stepped foot in this league.”
