Darius Miller
A sharpshooting Kentucky hometown hero who clinched a national title before carving out a decade-long professional career.
Born 1990 (age 36)·American basketball player·Birthday: March 21·Millennials
Biography
Darius Miller's basketball story is woven into the fabric of Kentucky. A standout from Mason County High School, he was Mr. Basketball for the state, carrying local hopes to the University of Kentucky. His college career was a journey of growth under coach John Calipari, evolving from a role player into a crucial leader. His senior year culminated in the storybook ending every player dreams of: cutting down the nets after Kentucky's 2012 NCAA championship victory. Drafted in the second round, Miller's professional path was defined by resilience. He found his niche as a reliable '3-and-D' wing, first with the New Orleans Pelicans, where his steady three-point shooting and defensive length earned him a consistent role. A serious ankle injury in 2019 threatened his career, but he fought back to return to the court. His journey came full circle with a final season back in New Orleans, closing a career built not on flashy stats, but on clutch shooting, intelligent play, and the quiet satisfaction of a hometown kid who made good.
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.
Darius 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 Darius Was Born
The biggest hits of 1990
#1 Movie
Home Alone
Best Picture
Dances with Wolves
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Darius'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
- Won the 2012 NCAA National Championship as a key senior leader on the Kentucky Wildcats team.
- Was named Kentucky's Mr. Basketball in 2008 after a storied high school career at Mason County.
- Played eight seasons in the NBA, primarily with the New Orleans Pelicans, appearing in 31 playoff games.
- Holds the Kentucky high school boys' career scoring record with 3,515 points.
Did You Know?
He is one of only three players to have won both a Kentucky high school state championship and an NCAA championship at the University of Kentucky.
He and fellow Wildcat Anthony Davis were drafted by the same NBA team (New Orleans) in the same year (2012).
He played his final NBA game on April 10, 2022, scoring 21 points for the New Orleans Pelicans.
His jersey number 1 was retired by Mason County High School.
“My job is to make the open shot and play tough defense.”
