Érika de Souza
A pillar of Brazilian basketball for two decades, dominating the paint in the WNBA and leading her national team to global podiums.
Born 1982 (age 44)·Brazilian basketball player·Birthday: March 9·Millennials
Biography
Érika de Souza's career is a testament to longevity and consistent excellence. Standing at 6'5", she carved out a space as one of the most reliable centers in the women's game, combining physicality with a soft scoring touch. Her professional path was global, with significant success in Spain and Russia, but she made her most visible mark in the WNBA with the Atlanta Dream, helping propel them to multiple Finals appearances. For Brazil, she was indispensable, forming a formidable frontcourt duo that carried the team to Olympic and World Championship medals. De Souza's game wasn't about flashy headlines; it was about dependable double-doubles, smart defense, and being the anchor her teams could always rely on, season after season.
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.
Érika was born in 1982, 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 Érika Was Born
The biggest hits of 1982
#1 Movie
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Best Picture
Gandhi
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Érika's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1982Born
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1987Started school
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1995Became a teenager
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1998Could drive
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2000Could vote
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Turned 21
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
2012Turned 30
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
2022Turned 40
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
Gas: $3.97/galHome: $348,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"As It Was" — Harry StylesBest Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
2026Age 44 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won a silver medal with the Brazilian national team at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
- Earned two WNBA All-Star selections (2009, 2011) during her time with the Atlanta Dream.
- Helped lead Brazil to a gold medal at the 2011 FIBA Americas Championship for Women.
- Played in three WNBA Finals with the Atlanta Dream (2010, 2011, 2013).
Did You Know?
She played professionally in six different countries: Brazil, Spain, the United States, Russia, Turkey, and Belgium.
De Souza was drafted into the WNBA twice, first in 2002 by the Connecticut Sun and again in 2008 by the Atlanta Dream after returning from overseas.
She is known by the nickname 'Erika Boneca,' which translates to 'Erika Doll.'
“My job is to hold the paint, score when needed, and never back down.”
