Tan White
A dynamic, undersized guard from Mississippi who carved out a long professional career through sheer scoring tenacity and defensive grit.
Born 1982 (age 44)·American basketball player·Birthday: September 27·Millennials
Biography
Tan White's basketball path was defined by proving people wrong. At 5'7", she was consistently the smallest player on the court, but she played with a ferocity that made size irrelevant. Her college career at Mississippi State was spectacular, capped by winning the 2005 Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award, given to the nation's best senior under 5'8". This wasn't just an honor; it was a testament to her ability to dominate games from the guard position. She took that same fearless approach to the WNBA, where she spent nearly a decade as a valuable combo guard. White wasn't a star, but she was a relentless competitor—a sparkplug off the bench who could change a game with her aggressive defense and sudden scoring bursts. Her longevity in the league, playing for multiple franchises, is a tribute to her adaptability and the hard-nosed, fundamental style she perfected to overcome physical expectations.
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.
Tan 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 Tan Was Born
The biggest hits of 1982
#1 Movie
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Best Picture
Gandhi
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Tan'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
- Awarded the Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award in 2005 as the nation's top senior collegiate player under 5 feet 8 inches tall.
- Had a sustained 9-season career in the WNBA as a reliable guard for teams including the Indiana Fever, Connecticut Sun, and Washington Mystics.
- Finished her collegiate career at Mississippi State as the program's all-time leading scorer (since surpassed).
- Was selected 2nd overall by the Indiana Fever in the 2005 WNBA Draft.
Did You Know?
Her full first name is LaTanya, but she is universally known as Tan White.
In her WNBA rookie season, she led the Indiana Fever in steals.
She played professional basketball overseas in countries like Turkey and South Korea during the WNBA off-seasons.
She was a standout multi-sport athlete in high school, also excelling in track and field.
“They said I was too small, so I played like I was ten feet tall.”
