Nick Young
A high-volume shooter with a flamboyant persona, his clutch three-pointers and 'Swaggy P' nickname made him a cult favorite in the NBA.
Born 1985 (age 41)·American basketball player·Birthday: June 1·Millennials
Biography
Nick Young's basketball journey is a story of pure, unadulterated confidence. Emerging from USC as a smooth-scoring guard, he carved out a 12-year NBA career defined by a fearless shooting mentality and a personality that was impossible to ignore. While he played for six teams, his most memorable chapters came with the Los Angeles Lakers, where his penchant for deep, contested threes became a spectacle, and with the Golden State Warriors, where he evolved into a valuable role player. His on-court swagger, encapsulated by the self-bestowed nickname 'Swaggy P,' often overshadowed a genuine skill for instant offense. Young's career culminated in a 2018 championship with the Warriors, a fitting reward for a player who always believed he belonged on the biggest stage, and who played the game with a visible joy that resonated with fans.
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.
Nick was born in 1985, 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 Nick Was Born
The biggest hits of 1985
#1 Movie
Back to the Future
Best Picture
Out of Africa
#1 TV Show
Dynasty
Nick's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1985Born
Live Aid concerts raise money for Ethiopian famine
Gas: $1.12/galHome: $62,900Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Careless Whisper" — Wham!Best Picture: Out of Africa
1990Started school
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1998Became a teenager
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2001Could drive
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
2003Could vote
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
2006Turned 21
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
2015Turned 30
Paris climate agreement; same-sex marriage legalized in the US
Gas: $2.43/galHome: $171,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson ft. Bruno MarsBest Picture: Spotlight
2025Turned 40
AI agents go mainstream
Gas: $3.10/galHome: $385,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"APT." — Rose & Bruno Mars
2026Age 41 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won an NBA championship as a key reserve with the Golden State Warriors in 2018.
- Averaged a career-high 17.9 points per game during the 2010-11 season with the Washington Wizards.
- Made 1,083 three-pointers over his NBA career, known for his quick-trigger shooting style.
- Was a two-time First-Team All-Pac-10 selection while playing college basketball for USC.
Did You Know?
His nickname 'Swaggy P' was reportedly given to him by rapper Nicki Minaj during an interview.
He played high school basketball at Cleveland High School in Reseda, California, alongside future NBA player Brandon Jennings.
He is known for the 'Swaggy P' celebration, where he spreads his arms wide after making a three-pointer.
He was featured in the music video for Iggy Azalea's song 'Fancy'.
“I just go out there and play with a lot of swag.”
