Dillon Brooks
A tenacious, physical wing defender whose aggressive style and competitive fire define his identity on the basketball court.
Born 1996 (age 30)·Canadian basketball player·Birthday: January 22·Millennials
Biography
Hailing from Mississauga, Ontario, Dillon Brooks carved his path with a blend of skill and sheer will. At the University of Oregon, he transformed from a solid recruit into a Pac-12 Player of the Year, leading the Ducks to a Final Four in 2017. Drafted in the second round by the Memphis Grizzlies, he embraced a gritty, defensive identity that perfectly matched the city's ethos. Brooks became the engine of the team's 'Grit and Grind' revival, often tasked with guarding the opponent's best player. His on-court persona—combative, confident, and unapologetic—made him a polarizing figure but also earned him NBA All-Defensive Second Team honors in 2023. After a stint with the Houston Rockets, his journey continued with the Phoenix Suns, where his defensive toughness remains a valued commodity in a league often obsessed with offense.
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.
Dillon was born in 1996, 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 Dillon Was Born
The biggest hits of 1996
#1 Movie
Independence Day
Best Picture
The English Patient
#1 TV Show
ER
Dillon's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1996Born
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
2001Started school
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2009Became a teenager
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
2012Could drive
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
2014Could vote
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
2017Turned 21
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Turned 30
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team in 2023 while with the Memphis Grizzlies.
- Earned consensus Second-Team All-American and Pac-12 Player of the Year honors in 2017 at the University of Oregon.
- Helped lead the Oregon Ducks to their first NCAA Final Four appearance in 78 years in 2017.
- Played a key role in the Memphis Grizzlies' rise, starting over 70 games in multiple seasons.
Did You Know?
He was born in Mississauga, Canada, to parents who were both accomplished basketball players at the collegiate level.
Brooks wears jersey number 24 as a tribute to Kobe Bryant.
He is a dual citizen of Canada and the United States.
In the 2022 playoffs, he famously guarded Stephen Curry for large stretches, embodying his defensive specialist role.
“I don't just want to beat you; I want to take your heart.”
