Kia Vaughn
A formidable defensive anchor who carved out a long WNBA career before switching national allegiance to help Czech basketball reach new heights.
Born 1987 (age 39)·American-born Czech basketball player·Birthday: January 24·Millennials
Biography
Hailing from the Bronx, Kia Vaughn’s basketball path was built on a foundation of sheer physical presence and relentless work in the paint. At Rutgers University, she developed into a cornerstone for coach C. Vivian Stringer, helping lead the Scarlet Knights to the 2007 NCAA Championship game with her rebounding and interior defense. Selected eighth overall in the 2009 WNBA Draft by the New York Liberty, she brought her hometown toughness to the professional stage, evolving into a reliable starting center known for setting brutal screens and controlling the glass. Her decade-long WNBA journey saw her contribute to several playoff teams, including a stint with the Washington Mystics. In a pivotal career shift, leveraging her Czech heritage through her mother, she began representing the Czech national team, becoming an integral part of their golden era and helping them secure a historic EuroBasket Women gold medal in 2017. Vaughn’s career is a testament to the value of a player who masters the unglamorous fundamentals and adapts her role to maximize team success.
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.
Kia was born in 1987, 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 Kia Was Born
The biggest hits of 1987
#1 Movie
Three Men and a Baby
Best Picture
The Last Emperor
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Kia's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1987Born
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
1992Started school
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2000Became a teenager
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
2003Could drive
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
2005Could vote
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
2008Turned 21
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2017Turned 30
#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
2026Age 39 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won a gold medal with the Czech Republic at EuroBasket Women 2017, a landmark victory for the program.
- Helped lead Rutgers University to the NCAA Women's Championship game in 2007 as a starting center.
- Played over 300 games in the WNBA across a career spanning from 2009 to 2021.
- Started in 22 games for the Washington Mystics during their 2018 playoff run.
Did You Know?
She holds dual citizenship in the United States and the Czech Republic.
In high school, she was a standout in both basketball and volleyball.
She was teammates with future WNBA star Epiphanny Prince at Rutgers.
Her mother, Kvetoslava, is from the Czech Republic and was a significant influence on her connecting with her heritage.
“You earn your position in the paint every single day.”
