Deshaun Thomas
A sharpshooting forward whose college scoring prowess made him a March Madness star before a long, successful career in Europe.
Born 1991 (age 35)·American basketball player·Birthday: August 29·Millennials
Biography
Deshaun Thomas emerged from Fort Wayne, Indiana, as a high school phenom, his offensive toolkit already polished and potent. At Ohio State, he became the engine of the Buckeyes' attack, a versatile scorer who could bully defenders in the post or stretch the floor with his jump shot. His sophomore season crescendoed with a brilliant run to the 2012 NCAA Final Four, where he led the entire tournament in scoring. Though his NBA journey was brief, Thomas carved out a significant legacy overseas. He became a cornerstone for top European clubs, most notably Panathinaikos in Greece, where his scoring instincts and championship mentality made him a fan favorite and a consistent winner in multiple leagues.
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.
Deshaun was born in 1991, 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 Deshaun Was Born
The biggest hits of 1991
#1 Movie
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Best Picture
The Silence of the Lambs
#1 TV Show
Cheers
Deshaun's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1991Born
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1996Started school
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
2004Became a teenager
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2007Could drive
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2009Could vote
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
2012Turned 21
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2021Turned 30
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2026Age 35 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Led the entire 2012 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament in total points scored, powering Ohio State to the Final Four.
- Won the Greek Basket League championship and the Greek Cup with Panathinaikos in 2021.
- Named to the All-EuroLeague Second Team in 2021 while playing for Panathinaikos.
- Scored over 1,600 points in his three-year college career at Ohio State, leaving as one of the program's most efficient scorers.
Did You Know?
He was named Indiana's Mr. Basketball in 2010 after a legendary high school career at Bishop Luers.
Thomas and his Ohio State teammate Jared Sullinger were both McDonald's All-Americans in the same recruiting class.
He holds the Ohio State record for most points scored in an NCAA Tournament game, with 31 against Loyola (MD) in 2012.
“I just find a way to put the ball in the basket.”
