Dwight Buycks
A determined combo guard who forged a professional path through sheer will, from junior college to the NBA and onto a successful career as a scoring leader overseas.
Born 1989 (age 37)·American basketball player·Birthday: March 6·Millennials
Biography
Dwight Buycks' basketball story is one of relentless pursuit. Unlike many pros, his route didn't go through a traditional basketball powerhouse. He honed his game at Indian Hills Community College before landing at Marquette, where he developed into a tough, scoring guard. Undrafted in 2011, he refused to let that be the end. Buycks grinded through the NBA's summer league and D-League, earning brief call-ups where he showcased his aggressive offensive style. His breakthrough came with a solid season for the Toronto Raptors in 2013-14. When the NBA chapter closed, Buycks didn't fade; he reinvented himself as a star in international leagues. In China and later in Iran, he transformed into a high-volume scorer and leader, proving that talent combined with perseverance can craft a long and impactful career far from the spotlight of the league where he started.
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.
Dwight was born in 1989, 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 Dwight Was Born
The biggest hits of 1989
#1 Movie
Batman
Best Picture
Driving Miss Daisy
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Dwight's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1989Born
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1994Started school
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
2002Became a teenager
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Could drive
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2007Could vote
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
2010Turned 21
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2019Turned 30
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 37 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Played 62 games in the NBA across three seasons for the Toronto Raptors, Los Angeles Lakers, and Detroit Pistons.
- Led the Iranian Super League in scoring during the 2021-22 season while playing for Kalleh Mazandaran.
- Won the NBA D-League Impact Player of the Year award in 2013 while with the Tulsa 66ers.
Did You Know?
He played professionally in Venezuela early in his career before getting his NBA opportunity.
Buycks scored a career-high 19 points in an NBA game for the Toronto Raptors against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
He and fellow NBA guard Vander Blue were teammates at both Marquette University and in the NBA D-League.
“My path taught me to value every single possession on the court.”
