Marreese Speights
A versatile big man whose sharpshooting and infectious energy made him a crucial, crowd-favorite piece of the Warriors' 2015 championship run.
Born 1987 (age 39)·American basketball player·Birthday: August 4·Millennials
Biography
Marreese 'Mo' Speights arrived in the NBA with the physique of a classic back-to-the-basket big, but his career arc became a testament to adaptation. Drafted by Philadelphia, he showed flashes of scoring punch off the bench for several teams before landing with the Golden State Warriors in 2013. There, under Steve Kerr, he transformed his game, extending his range to become a legitimate three-point threat—a 'stretch five' before the term was ubiquitous. His buoyant personality and knack for instant offense, dubbed 'Mo Buckets' by the adoring Oracle Arena crowd, provided a vital spark for a dynasty in its formative stage. While his role diminished after the title, his journeyman years across the league were marked by a consistent, professional approach, leaving a legacy as a player who maximized his tools and embraced the evolution of his position.
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.
Marreese 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 Marreese 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
Marreese'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 an NBA championship as a key reserve with the Golden State Warriors in 2015.
- Played a pivotal role on the University of Florida's 2007 NCAA national championship team as a freshman.
- Selected in the first round (16th overall) of the 2008 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers.
- Averaged a career-high 10.4 points per game during the 2012-13 season with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Memphis Grizzlies.
Did You Know?
His nickname 'Mo' is short for Marreese, not derived from his middle name Akeem.
He holds the Warriors' single-season record for highest three-point percentage by a center (over 38% in 2014-15).
After his NBA career, he played professionally in China for the Guangzhou Loong Lions.
He was a McDonald's All-American in high school, playing alongside future NBA player Michael Beasley.
“You have to adapt your game to fit what the team needs to win.”
