Jia Perkins
A defensive specialist whose relentless hustle and veteran savvy helped secure a WNBA championship for the Minnesota Lynx in her final season.
Born 1982 (age 44)·American basketball player and coach·Birthday: February 23·Millennials
Biography
Jia Perkins carved out a formidable 14-year WNBA career not as a flashy scorer, but as a tenacious and intelligent defender who could lock down the league's best guards. Hailing from Newburgh, New York, and later Texas, her professional journey was one of resilience, seeing her play for five different franchises. She became a valued role player known for her toughness and basketball IQ, qualities that shone brightest during her stint with the San Antonio Silver Stars and later with the championship-bound Minnesota Lynx. Her career came to a storybook end in 2017 when she retired immediately after helping the Lynx claim the title, seamlessly transitioning her deep understanding of the game into coaching. Perkins now imparts her hard-earned wisdom as an assistant in the NBA G League, guiding the next generation.
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.
Jia 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 Jia Was Born
The biggest hits of 1982
#1 Movie
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Best Picture
Gandhi
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Jia'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 WNBA championship with the Minnesota Lynx in 2017, retiring immediately after the victory.
- Played 14 seasons in the WNBA for five different teams, amassing over 4,000 career points.
- Earned a reputation as one of the league's premier defensive guards during her prime.
- Transitioned directly into a coaching role with the Salt Lake City Stars in the NBA G League after retirement.
Did You Know?
She was traded mid-season in 2014 from the Chicago Sky to the Minnesota Lynx for a second-round draft pick.
Perkins attended Texas Tech University, where she was a two-time All-Big 12 selection.
Her father, Ray Perkins, played professional basketball in Europe.
“Defense is about making them work for every single inch.”
