Paul Millsap
A second-round draft pick who defied expectations to become a four-time All-Star, anchoring elite defenses with his intelligence, strength, and relentless versatility.
Born 1985 (age 41)·American basketball player·Birthday: February 10·Millennials
Biography
Paul Millsap’s NBA narrative is a testament to the power of sustained, high-level work over flashy hype. Drafted 47th overall by the Utah Jazz in 2006, he arrived with the label 'undersized power forward' and immediately set about rewriting the scouting report. In Utah, he evolved from a energy-and-rebounds specialist into a complete two-way force, leading the league in steals for a frontcourt player and becoming a consistent double-double threat. His free agency move to Atlanta in 2013 unlocked his full potential; as the defensive anchor of the '60-win Hawks,' he showcased a unique blend of interior grit and an expanding perimeter game. Millsap’s game was built on a profound basketball IQ, allowing him to guard all five positions and make plays that didn’t always fill the stat sheet. For 16 seasons, he was the ultimate professional—a player whose impact was felt most by winning teams that valued substance over style.
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.
Paul 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 Paul Was Born
The biggest hits of 1985
#1 Movie
Back to the Future
Best Picture
Out of Africa
#1 TV Show
Dynasty
Paul'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
- Selected as an NBA All-Star four consecutive times from 2014 to 2017 while with the Atlanta Hawks.
- Named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team in 2016, recognizing his pivotal role in one of the league's top defenses.
- Led the NBA in total steals during the 2015-16 season, a rare feat for a primary frontcourt player.
- Played a central role on the 2014-15 Atlanta Hawks team that won 60 games and reached the Eastern Conference Finals.
Did You Know?
He led the NCAA in rebounding for three consecutive years while at Louisiana Tech, the first player to do so since the 1970s.
His younger brother, Elijah Millsap, also played in the NBA.
He is an avid bowler and has participated in professional celebrity bowling tournaments.
In high school, he was a standout football player as a tight end and defensive end before focusing solely on basketball.
“I was always the underdog. I always had a chip on my shoulder. That’s what drove me.”
