Miles Plumlee
A Duke champion and NBA journeyman whose professional career spanned from the hardwood to an Australian championship.
Born 1988 (age 38)·American basketball player·Birthday: September 1·Millennials
Biography
Miles Plumlee’s basketball narrative is one of defined roles and maximizing opportunity. At Duke, he was the blue-collar big man on the star-studded 2010 national championship team, setting screens and cleaning the glass. Drafted in the first round by Indiana, his seven-year NBA journey was that of a specialist: an explosive athlete who could rebound, protect the rim in spurts, and finish alley-oops. He played for five teams, with his most productive stint coming in Phoenix where he started 79 games at center during the 2013-14 season. After his NBA chapter closed, he authored a perfect final act in Australia’s NBL with the Perth Wildcats. Embracing a leadership role, he helped anchor the defense and was instrumental in their 2020 championship run, proving his value as a winner on a different continent.
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.
Miles was born in 1988, 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 Miles Was Born
The biggest hits of 1988
#1 Movie
Rain Man
Best Picture
Rain Man
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Miles's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1988Born
Pan Am Flight 103 bombed over Lockerbie
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $74,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Faith" — George MichaelBest Picture: Rain Man
1993Started school
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
2001Became a teenager
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
2004Could drive
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2006Could vote
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
2009Turned 21
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
2018Turned 30
Royal wedding of Harry and Meghan; Parkland shooting
Gas: $2.72/galHome: $211,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"God's Plan" — DrakeBest Picture: Green Book
2026Age 38 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won an NCAA National Championship as a key rotational player for the Duke Blue Devils in 2010.
- Started 79 games for the Phoenix Suns in the 2013-14 season, averaging career highs in points and rebounds.
- Won the NBL championship with the Perth Wildcats in 2020, contributing as a starting center.
- Played in over 300 NBA regular season games across five different franchises.
Did You Know?
He is one of three Plumlee brothers to play in the NBA, alongside Mason and Marshall.
He recorded a triple-double in the NBL for the Perth Wildcats in 2019 with points, rebounds, and blocks.
He majored in psychology at Duke University.
His vertical leap was measured at 40.5 inches at the NBA Draft Combine.
“My job is to set the tone with energy, rebounding, and protecting the rim.”
