Tibor Pleiß
A 7-foot-3 German giant whose towering presence in the paint anchored both European clubs and the national team's rise.
Born 1989 (age 37)·German basketball player·Birthday: November 2·Millennials
Biography
Tibor Pleiß carved out a significant career as one of Europe's most physically imposing centers. Born in Bergisch Gladbach, his extraordinary height was evident early, but he refined his skills at the youth level of Köln 99ers before turning professional. His journey became a tour of Europe's top leagues, with notable stints at powerhouses like FC Barcelona and Anadolu Efes Istanbul, where he won multiple domestic titles and the prestigious EuroLeague in 2021. While a brief NBA chapter with the Utah Jazz offered a glimpse of the world's top league, his true legacy is built in Europe. Pleiß has been a stalwart for the German national team for over a decade, providing a defensive anchor and reliable scoring touch as the team evolved into a global contender.
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.
Tibor was born in 1989, 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 Tibor Was Born
The biggest hits of 1989
#1 Movie
Batman
Best Picture
Driving Miss Daisy
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Tibor's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1989Born
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1994Started school
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
2002Became a teenager
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Could drive
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2007Could vote
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
2010Turned 21
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2019Turned 30
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 37 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the EuroLeague championship in 2021 with Anadolu Efes Istanbul.
- Earned multiple domestic league titles in Spain with FC Barcelona and in Turkey with Anadolu Efes.
- Has been a regular member of the German senior national team since the early 2010s.
- Played in the NBA for the Utah Jazz during the 2015-16 season.
Did You Know?
At 7 feet 3 inches (2.21 m), he is one of the tallest players to ever play in the NBA.
He was drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2010 NBA Draft but did not sign with them initially.
His father, Andreas, was also a professional basketball player in Germany.
“My job is to protect the paint, rebound, and finish around the rim.”
