Michael Kingma
A towering center who carved out a long professional career across Europe and Australia, known for his resilience and defensive presence.
Born 1979 (age 47)·Australian-Dutch basketball player·Birthday: August 9·Generation X
Biography
Michael Kingma's basketball story is one of global journeyman, defined by a 7-foot frame and a professional persistence that spanned continents. Born in Australia to Dutch parents, his dual heritage shaped his career path. He honed his game in the Australian Institute of Sport before taking his skills to the Dutch league, where he became a defensive anchor and a fan favorite for teams like Amsterdam Astronauts. Kingma was not a flashy scorer; his value lay in rebounding, shot-blocking, and setting punishing screens. His career saw him bounce between the Australian NBL, where he played for the Sydney Kings and others, and various top European divisions. This longevity as a professional big man, adapting his game to different leagues and styles, stands as a testament to his fundamental skills and basketball IQ.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Michael was born in 1979, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Michael Was Born
The biggest hits of 1979
#1 Movie
Kramer vs. Kramer
Best Picture
Kramer vs. Kramer
#1 TV Show
Laverne & Shirley
Michael's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1979Born
Iran hostage crisis begins; Three Mile Island accident
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $37,900Min wage: $2.90/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"My Sharona" — The KnackBest Picture: Kramer vs. Kramer
1984Started school
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1992Became a teenager
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
1995Could drive
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1997Could vote
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2000Turned 21
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
2009Turned 30
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2019Turned 40
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 47 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Played professionally for over a decade in top European leagues including the Dutch Eredivisie and the German Bundesliga.
- Represented the Dutch national basketball team in multiple European Championship (EuroBasket) qualifying campaigns.
- Had a significant stint in the Australian NBL, contributing to teams like the Sydney Kings and the Townsville Crocodiles.
- Won a Dutch Basketball League championship with the Amsterdam Astronauts in the 2000-2001 season.
Did You Know?
He is the son of former Dutch national team basketball player Kees Kingma.
Kingma holds both Australian and Dutch citizenship, which allowed him to play for the Netherlands internationally.
He played college basketball in the United States for two years at Eastern Utah College before turning professional.
After retiring, he has been involved in coaching and player development in Australia.
“My height opened doors, but my work ethic kept me on rosters for fifteen years.”
