Denzel Valentine
A crafty and versatile basketball player whose college brilliance as a National Player of the Year translated into a global professional journey.
Born 1993 (age 33)·American basketball player·Birthday: November 16·Millennials
Biography
Denzel Valentine swept the National Player of the Year awards in 2016 as a senior at Michigan State University, the first Spartan to do so. He averaged near triple-doubles, displaying vision, clutch shooting, and all-around play that captivated college basketball. The Chicago Bulls selected him in the first round of the NBA Draft. In the professional ranks, Valentine fought for consistent minutes, relying on his high basketball IQ and passing flair. After his NBA stint, he continued his career overseas with Reyer Venezia in Italy. His love for the game extended beyond any single league, taking him to Europe where he adapted to new systems and cultures.
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.
Denzel 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 Denzel Was Born
The biggest hits of 1993
#1 Movie
Jurassic Park
Best Picture
Schindler's List
#1 TV Show
60 Minutes
Denzel'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
- Unanimously named the National College Player of the Year in 2016, winning the Associated Press, NABC, and Sporting News awards.
- Became the first player in Michigan State history to record a triple-double in the NCAA Tournament (2015).
- Selected 14th overall by the Chicago Bulls in the 2016 NBA Draft.
- Won the Big Ten Player of the Year and was a consensus First-Team All-American in 2016.
Did You Know?
His father, Carlton Valentine, was also a basketball star at Michigan State and played professionally overseas.
He and his brother, Drew Valentine, were teammates at Michigan State; Drew is now a college basketball coach.
He led the NBA's G League in triple-doubles during the 2018-19 season while playing for the Windy City Bulls.
He is known for wearing distinctive, colorful headbands during games.
“I'm not the fastest, I'm not the quickest, I'm not the highest jumper, but I feel like I'm one of the smartest players.”
