Ivory Latta
A 5-foot-6 dynamo whose explosive scoring and infectious joy changed the tempo of every game and inspired a generation of undersized guards.
Born 1984 (age 42)·American basketball player·Birthday: September 25·Millennials
Biography
Ivory Latta never let her size define her game. A scoring phenom in South Carolina, she carried that fire to the University of North Carolina, leading the Tar Heels to multiple Final Fours with her deep range and fearless drives. In the WNBA, her personality was as large as her shot; her celebratory three-point goggles and electric play made her a fan favorite across multiple teams. Latta understood her role as a spark plug, a player who could change a game's momentum in a single possession. Beyond statistics, her lasting impact is as a symbol of unabashed passion, proving that heart and skill could overcome any physical measurement.
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.
Ivory was born in 1984, 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 Ivory Was Born
The biggest hits of 1984
#1 Movie
Beverly Hills Cop
Best Picture
Amadeus
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Ivory's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1984Born
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1989Started school
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
1997Became a teenager
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2000Could drive
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
2002Could vote
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Turned 21
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
2014Turned 30
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
2024Turned 40
AI reshapes industries; Paris Olympics
Gas: $3.31/galHome: $372,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Espresso" — Sabrina CarpenterBest Picture: Anora
2026Age 42 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Set the all-time scoring record for South Carolina high school basketball with 4,319 career points.
- Led the North Carolina Tar Heels to three NCAA Final Four appearances (2006, 2007).
- Named a first-team All-American and ACC Player of the Year in 2006.
- Played nine seasons in the WNBA, known for her elite three-point shooting and role as a key reserve.
Did You Know?
She performed a memorable celebratory dance called the 'Latta Dance' after hitting three-pointers.
Latta was an analyst for ESPN's coverage of women's college basketball after her playing career.
She owns the UNC single-game record for three-pointers made, with nine against Arizona State in 2006.
“I might be small, but I play big. That's just my heart.”
