Rickey Paulding
A high-flying Missouri Tigers legend who found a lasting home and hero status in the German basketball league.
Born 1982 (age 44)·American professional basketball player·Birthday: October 23·Millennials
Biography
Rickey Paulding's story is one of finding a kingdom where he could be king. An electrifying dunker and scorer at the University of Missouri, he left as one of the program's all-time greats but had a brief, unremarkable stint in the NBA. His career truly caught fire when he landed in Germany with EWE Baskets Oldenburg. There, he transformed from a prospect into an institution. For over a decade, Paulding wasn't just a player; he was the face of the franchise, a scoring machine whose clutch performances and loyalty made him a beloved figure. He led Oldenburg to its first German championship, becoming synonymous with the club's greatest era. His journey redefines success, proving that a lasting legacy and deep community connection can outweigh broader fame.
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.
Rickey was born in 1982, 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 Rickey Was Born
The biggest hits of 1982
#1 Movie
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Best Picture
Gandhi
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Rickey's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1982Born
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1987Started school
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1995Became a teenager
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1998Could drive
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2000Could vote
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
2003Turned 21
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
2012Turned 30
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2022Turned 40
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
Gas: $3.97/galHome: $348,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"As It Was" — Harry StylesBest Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
2026Age 44 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Led EWE Baskets Oldenburg to the German Basketball Bundesliga (BBL) championship in 2009, the first in club history.
- Was named the German League Finals MVP in 2009 after his championship-winning performance.
- Finished his college career at Missouri as a First-Team All-Big 12 selection and ranks among the school's top ten scorers.
- Had his jersey number (#22) retired by EWE Baskets Oldenburg, an extraordinary honor for an American import.
Did You Know?
He was nicknamed 'The President' by fans at the University of Missouri.
He played only 5 total games in the NBA for the Detroit Pistons before finding his success in Europe.
He became a German citizen in 2015, allowing him to play for the German national team, though he never officially did.
He spent 12 consecutive seasons with EWE Baskets Oldenburg, a rare display of longevity with one European club.
“Sometimes you find your home court far from home, and then you build something lasting.”
