LaMarcus Aldridge
A seven-time All-Star whose graceful mid-range game defined an era of power forwards and who walked away from the sport twice on his own terms.
Born 1985 (age 41)·American basketball player·Birthday: July 19·Millennials
Biography
LaMarcus Aldridge emerged from Seagoville, Texas, as a quiet, lanky prospect who would become one of the most consistent and skilled big men of his generation. At the University of Texas, he honed a fundamentally sound, almost old-school offensive repertoire built on feathery jump shots and polished post moves. Drafted second overall by Portland in 2006, he blossomed into the cornerstone of the Trail Blazers, providing steady leadership and nightly double-doubles in the wake of the team's roster overhaul. His 2015 move to the San Antonio Spurs was a deliberate step toward championship contention, where he seamlessly integrated into their system. Aldridge's career was bookended by profound personal health decisions: a 2021 retirement due to a heart condition, followed by a medically-cleared return to chase a title with Brooklyn, showcasing a deep and complex relationship with the game.
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.
LaMarcus was born in 1985, 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 LaMarcus Was Born
The biggest hits of 1985
#1 Movie
Back to the Future
Best Picture
Out of Africa
#1 TV Show
Dynasty
LaMarcus's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1985Born
Live Aid concerts raise money for Ethiopian famine
Gas: $1.12/galHome: $62,900Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Careless Whisper" — Wham!Best Picture: Out of Africa
1990Started school
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1998Became a teenager
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2001Could drive
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2003Could vote
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
2006Turned 21
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2015Turned 30
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
2025Turned 40
AI agents go mainstream
Gas: $3.10/galHome: $385,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"APT." — Rose & Bruno Mars
2026Age 41 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Named an NBA All-Star seven consecutive times from 2012 to 2019.
- Averaged over 20 points and 8 rebounds per game across nine seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers.
- Scored a career-high 56 points for the San Antonio Spurs in a double-overtime victory in 2019.
- His jersey number 12 was retired by the Portland Trail Blazers in 2023.
Did You Know?
He was named after his father, whose own name was a combination of 'La' for Louisiana and 'Marcus'.
He initially committed to play college basketball for the University of Texas over offers from basketball powerhouses like Kansas and Baylor.
He is an avid bowler and has participated in professional celebrity bowling tournaments.
“I’ve always been a person that leads by example. I’m not the most vocal person, but I try to go out and show it every night.”
