Cory Jefferson
A Baylor big man who parlayed a standout college career into professional stints in the NBA and across top international leagues.
Born 1990 (age 36)·American basketball player·Birthday: December 26·Millennials
Biography
Cory Jefferson built his game on energy and length, a prototype of the modern, athletic power forward. At Baylor University, he developed from a role player into a force, leading the Bears in scoring and rebounding as a senior while showcasing a developing face-up jumper. His shot-blocking and relentless work on the glass made him a fan favorite and caught the eye of NBA scouts. Selected in the second round of the 2014 draft, he saw limited time with the Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns, his professional promise more fully realized overseas. Jefferson became a star in the competitive Turkish League and later in Japan, where his combination of defensive intensity and efficient scoring made him a valued import. His path illustrates the global reach of the basketball talent pipeline, where a college standout can craft a long and successful career on international courts.
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.
Cory 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 Cory Was Born
The biggest hits of 1990
#1 Movie
Home Alone
Best Picture
Dances with Wolves
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Cory'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
- Led the Baylor Bears in scoring (13.7 points per game) and rebounding (8.2 per game) during his senior season in 2013-14.
- Represented the United States at the 2013 Summer Universiade in Kazan, Russia, helping the team win a gold medal.
- Played in 50 NBA games across two seasons for the Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns after being drafted 60th overall in 2014.
Did You Know?
He played high school basketball at Killeen High School in Texas, the same school that produced NBA player Royce White.
Jefferson and his Baylor teammate Isaiah Austin were both drafted in the 2014 NBA Draft.
He won the Turkish Cup in 2019 while playing for Darüşşafaka in Istanbul.
“I just try to bring energy, rebound, and block shots every time I step on the floor.”
