Cameron Bairstow
A hard-nosed Australian power forward who battled his way from New Mexico to the NBA before becoming a cornerstone for the Brisbane Bullets back home.
Born 1990 (age 36)·Australian basketball player·Birthday: December 7·Millennials
Biography
Hailing from Brisbane, Cameron Bairstow took a road less traveled, using a gritty, physical brand of basketball to forge a professional career on two continents. At the University of New Mexico, he transformed from a little-used reserve into a First Team All-Mountain West star, his game built on footwork, strength, and a soft touch around the rim. Selected by the Chicago Bulls in the 2014 draft's second round, he spent two seasons learning in the shadows of stars like Pau Gasol. While his NBA stats were modest, the experience was invaluable. Returning to Australia, he found his true calling in the NBL. As a key signing for the revived Brisbane Bullets, Bairstow evolved into a leader and a double-double threat, his relentless energy and improved outside shot making him a fan favorite and a symbol of the league's growing quality.
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.
Cameron was born in 1990, 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 Cameron Was Born
The biggest hits of 1990
#1 Movie
Home Alone
Best Picture
Dances with Wolves
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Cameron's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1990Born
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
1995Started school
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
2003Became a teenager
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
2006Could drive
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
2008Could vote
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
2011Turned 21
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
2020Turned 30
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 36 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Named to the All-Mountain West First Team in 2014 after averaging 20.4 points and 7.4 rebounds per game for New Mexico.
- Helped lead the Brisbane Bullets to the NBL playoffs in the 2018-19 season.
- Represented the Australian national team (the Boomers) in FIBA World Cup qualifying games.
Did You Know?
He majored in University Studies at New Mexico, with a focus on business and physical education.
Bairstow comes from a sporting family; his sister, Lara, played netball for Australia.
He was teammates with current NBA star Jalen Brunson on the Chicago Bulls during the 2015-16 season.
“You earn your minutes with defense, rebounding, and doing the dirty work.”
