Gary Trent Jr.
A sharpshooting NBA guard who honed his craft at Duke and evolved from a draft-night trade piece into a coveted perimeter threat.
Born 1999 (age 27)·American basketball player·Birthday: January 18·Generation Z
Biography
Gary Trent Jr.'s basketball life has been defined by a smooth, reliable jump shot and a professional mindset forged early. The son of a former NBA player, he was a McDonald's All-American who chose the spotlight of Duke, where his scoring ability added depth to a talented roster. His NBA entry was unconventional, selected in the second round only to be traded on draft night to the Portland Trail Blazers. In Portland, he patiently carved out a role, transforming from a prospect into a potent three-point specialist. A mid-career move to the Toronto Raptors saw his responsibilities expand, as he became a full-time starter and a defensive presence. Trent's journey is one of steady, self-made improvement, proving that a clear, elite skill can be the foundation for a long and valuable career.
Generation Z
1997–2012
Born into smartphones, social media, and school shootings. The most diverse generation in history. Pragmatic about money, fluid about identity, anxious about the climate. They do not remember a world before the internet.
Gary was born in 1999, placing them squarely in the Generation Z. The events that shaped this generation — social media, climate anxiety, and a pandemic — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Gary Was Born
The biggest hits of 1999
#1 Movie
Star Wars: Episode I
Best Picture
American Beauty
#1 TV Show
ER
Gary's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1999Born
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2004Started school
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
2012Became a teenager
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
2015Could drive
Paris climate agreement; same-sex marriage legalized in the US
Gas: $2.43/galHome: $171,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson ft. Bruno MarsBest Picture: Spotlight
2017Could vote
#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
2020Turned 21
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 27 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Led the NBA in total steals during the 2021-22 season while playing for the Toronto Raptors.
- Set a Toronto Raptors franchise record by making at least one three-pointer in 50 consecutive games.
- Scored a career-high 44 points for the Portland Trail Blazers against the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2021.
- Played for the Duke Blue Devils, reaching the NCAA Tournament's Elite Eight in 2018.
Did You Know?
His father, Gary Trent Sr., also played in the NBA and was known by the nickname 'The Shaq of the MAC.'
Trent Jr. was a McDonald's All-American and played in the Jordan Brand Classic in high school.
He is known for his meticulous pre-game routine and is often one of the first players on the court for warm-ups.
He wears jersey number 33 as a tribute to his father, who wore the same number during his NBA career.
“My father taught me the work, not the shot.”
