Torrey Craig
A tenacious NBA forward who forged his professional career through the grind of international leagues before becoming a valued playoff contributor.
Born 1990 (age 36)·American basketball player·Birthday: December 19·Millennials
Biography
Torrey Craig's story is a blueprint for self-made success. Undrafted out of USC Upstate, where he was a conference player of the year, his NBA dream seemed distant. Instead of giving up, he took his game to Australia's NBL with the Brisbane Bullets, then to New Zealand. It was there that his defensive toughness and relentless energy caught the eye of the Denver Nuggets, who offered him a two-way contract. Craig seized the opportunity, becoming an instant fan favorite for his hustle plays, corner three-point shooting, and ability to guard the opponent's best wing. He carved out a vital role as a glue guy for playoff teams in Denver, Phoenix, Milwaukee, and Chicago, often tasked with the toughest defensive assignments. Craig’s journey from overlooked prospect to trusted NBA veteran is a testament to the power of perseverance, proving that a player's impact isn't always in the spotlight, but in the hard screens, chasedown blocks, and winning plays.
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.
Torrey was born in 1990, 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 Torrey Was Born
The biggest hits of 1990
#1 Movie
Home Alone
Best Picture
Dances with Wolves
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Torrey's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1990Born
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
1995Started school
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
2003Became a teenager
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
2006Could drive
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
2008Could vote
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2011Turned 21
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2020Turned 30
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 36 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won an NBA championship as a contributor with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021.
- Earned Atlantic Sun Conference Player of the Year honors in 2012 while at USC Upstate.
- Played a key defensive role for the Denver Nuggets during their run to the 2020 Western Conference Finals.
- Started his professional career by winning the New Zealand NBL championship with the Wellington Saints in 2016.
Did You Know?
He played four years of college basketball at USC Upstate, a mid-major program, and is their all-time leading scorer.
Craig led the New Zealand NBL in scoring during the 2016 season before getting his NBA chance.
He is known for his distinctive dreadlocks and high-flying defensive plays.
He signed his first NBA contract with the Denver Nuggets after impressing at a mini-camp.
“I had to go to the other side of the world to prove I belonged.”
