Brian Roberts (basketball)
A journeyman point guard who forged a five-year NBA career through sheer persistence after going undrafted and proving himself across Europe.
Born 1985 (age 41)·American basketball player·Birthday: December 3·Millennials
Biography
Brian Roberts's path to the NBA was a global grind, a story of unwavering self-belief when few draft boards called his name. After a standout career at Dayton where he was a scoring leader, the 6'2" guard faced the reality of going undrafted in 2008. Instead of folding, he took his game to Europe, sharpening his skills in Germany and Israel, where his efficient shooting and steady ball-handling turned heads. His breakthrough came not from a lottery ticket but from a series of strong Summer League performances, finally earning a contract with the New Orleans Hornets in 2012. Roberts carved out a niche as a reliable backup point guard, a professional who could enter a game cold and manage the offense without mistakes, hitting clutch shots with a quiet confidence. His tenure with the Hornets/Pelicans and later the Charlotte Hornets stands as a testament to the enduring value of readiness and the fact that an NBA roster spot can be earned through miles logged far from the bright lights.
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.
Brian 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 Brian Was Born
The biggest hits of 1985
#1 Movie
Back to the Future
Best Picture
Out of Africa
#1 TV Show
Dynasty
Brian'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
- Played five seasons in the NBA for the New Orleans Hornets/Pelicans and Charlotte Hornets.
- Scored a career-high 26 points for the New Orleans Pelicans in a 2014 game against the Atlanta Hawks.
- Led the University of Dayton Flyers in scoring during his senior season with over 18 points per game.
- Shot over 93% from the free-throw line during the 2013-14 NBA season.
Did You Know?
He played professionally for teams in Germany (Brose Baskets) and Israel (Hapoel Jerusalem) before making the NBA.
He was a two-time First-Team All-Atlantic 10 selection at the University of Dayton.
He went undrafted in the 2008 NBA Draft before making his debut four years later.
“You prove yourself every day in this league; there are no days off.”
