Mindaugas Kuzminskas
A high-flying Lithuanian forward who brought athletic flair and a contagious energy to courts across Europe and the NBA.
Born 1989 (age 37)·Lithuanian basketball player·Birthday: October 19·Millennials
Biography
Mindaugas Kuzminskas plays basketball with a joyful, aerial style that made him a fan favourite wherever he went. Standing at 6'9" with a versatile skill set, he honed his game in the tough Lithuanian leagues before becoming a star for Unicaja Málaga in Spain, where his dunking prowess and perimeter shooting caught the attention of the NBA. His 2016 move to the New York Knicks was the realization of a dream, and he provided memorable highlights at Madison Square Garden with his fearless attacks on the rim. After his NBA chapter, Kuzminskas returned to Europe as a seasoned leader, bringing his experience to top clubs in Italy, Russia, and Greece. For the Lithuanian national team, a basketball-obsessed nation, he wore the green jersey with pride, contributing to their competitive spirit in EuroBasket tournaments. His career is a portrait of a modern European forward: skilled, expressive, and globally experienced.
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.
Mindaugas was born in 1989, 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 Mindaugas Was Born
The biggest hits of 1989
#1 Movie
Batman
Best Picture
Driving Miss Daisy
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Mindaugas's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1989Born
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1994Started school
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
2002Became a teenager
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Could drive
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
2007Could vote
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2010Turned 21
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2019Turned 30
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 37 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Played in the NBA for the New York Knicks during the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons.
- Won the Spanish King's Cup (Copa del Rey) with Unicaja Málaga in 2016.
- Earned a EuroLeague All-Star selection in 2015 while playing for Unicaja.
- Represented Lithuania in multiple FIBA EuroBasket and World Cup tournaments.
Did You Know?
He is known for his elaborate and often humorous dunk celebrations.
His brother, Saulius Kuzminskas, is also a professional basketball player.
He played college basketball for one year at the University of California, Santa Barbara before turning professional in Europe.
“I play for the love of the game and the roar of the crowd.”
