Tamera Young
A durable and versatile defender, she became a foundational player for franchises and a steady presence in the WNBA for over a decade.
Born 1986 (age 40)·American basketball player and coach·Birthday: October 30·Millennials
Biography
Tamera 'Ty' Young built a professional basketball career not on flashy headlines, but on reliable, hard-nosed play. Drafted by the Atlanta Dream, she quickly became known as a versatile forward who could defend multiple positions and score efficiently around the basket. Her journey saw her traded to the Chicago Sky, where she played a crucial role in their run to the 2014 WNBA Finals, providing toughness and experience off the bench. After stints that brought her back to Atlanta and then to Las Vegas, Young's resilience was her hallmark; she adapted her game and contributed to every team she played for. Following her playing days, she seamlessly transitioned into coaching, returning to the Chicago Sky as an assistant, where she now mentors the next generation.
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.
Tamera was born in 1986, 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 Tamera Was Born
The biggest hits of 1986
#1 Movie
Top Gun
Best Picture
Platoon
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Tamera's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1986Born
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1991Started school
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1999Became a teenager
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2002Could drive
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2004Could vote
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
2007Turned 21
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
2016Turned 30
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
2026Turned 40
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Selected 8th overall by the Atlanta Dream in the 2008 WNBA Draft.
- Helped lead the Chicago Sky to their first WNBA Finals appearance in 2014.
- Played in over 300 WNBA games across a 12-season career with four different teams.
- Finished her playing career ranked in the top 100 in WNBA history for total rebounds.
- Became an assistant coach for the Chicago Sky following her retirement as a player.
Did You Know?
She was a standout player at James Madison University, where she scored over 1,500 career points.
Her nickname 'Ty' comes from her first name, Tamera Young.
She was a teammate of WNBA star Angel McCoughtry on both the Atlanta Dream and the Las Vegas Aces.
She played professionally overseas in Turkey and South Korea during WNBA off-seasons.
She is the older sister of former NFL player Willie Young.
“I just wanted to be the player my team could count on, night in and night out.”
