Marissa Coleman
A versatile forward whose clutch shooting and defensive tenacity made her a cornerstone of championship teams in college and the WNBA.
Born 1987 (age 39)·American basketball player·Birthday: January 4·Millennials
Biography
Marissa Coleman's basketball journey is a testament to sustained excellence and competitive fire. Hailing from Maryland, she became a local legend at the University of Maryland, forming a devastating partnership with Crystal Langhorne. Together, they powered the Terrapins to the 2006 NCAA championship, a victory that cemented her status as a winner. Selected second overall in the 2009 WNBA Draft by the Washington Mystics, Coleman carved out a 12-year professional career defined by her adaptability. She wasn't just a scorer; she was a savvy player who could guard multiple positions and hit big shots when it mattered. Her resilience shone through as she contributed to different franchises, including a key role with the Indiana Fever, always bringing a veteran's poise and a proven championship pedigree to the locker room.
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.
Marissa 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 Marissa 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
Marissa'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 the NCAA National Championship with the University of Maryland in 2006.
- Selected as the second overall pick in the 2009 WNBA Draft by the Washington Mystics.
- Played 12 seasons in the WNBA for multiple teams, including the Indiana Fever and Los Angeles Sparks.
- Named a WNBA All-Star in 2015 while playing for the Indiana Fever.
- Earned multiple All-American honors during her collegiate career at Maryland.
Did You Know?
She and teammate Kristi Toliver are the only players to win an NCAA title, a WNBA title, and a EuroLeague title.
Coleman still holds the Maryland Terrapins' record for career three-pointers made.
She was a McDonald's All-American in high school, playing in the same game as Maya Moore.
After retirement, she transitioned into a role as a basketball analyst for the Big Ten Network.
“I came to Maryland to win a championship, and we did exactly that.”
