Travis Outlaw
A high-flying forward whose explosive athleticism and clutch shooting made him a fan favorite during the Portland Trail Blazers' resurgence.
Born 1984 (age 42)·American basketball player·Birthday: September 18·Millennials
Biography
Travis Outlaw emerged from the small town of Starkville, Mississippi, with a raw, breathtaking talent that bypassed college basketball entirely. Drafted straight out of high school by the Portland Trail Blazers in 2003, he became a symbol of the team's 'Jail Blazers' era transition into a promising young core. With a nickname like 'Bonesaw' and a wingspan that seemed to defy physics, Outlaw specialized in electrifying dunks and a smooth, if unorthodox, mid-range game. His most memorable moments came as a sixth man, hitting game-winning shots and providing a jolt of energy that could shift the momentum of any contest. While his career journeyed through several NBA teams, his legacy is cemented in Portland, where his growth mirrored the franchise's own return to relevance and playoff contention.
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.
Travis was born in 1984, 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 Travis Was Born
The biggest hits of 1984
#1 Movie
Beverly Hills Cop
Best Picture
Amadeus
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Travis's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1984Born
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1989Started school
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
1997Became a teenager
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2000Could drive
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
2002Could vote
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Turned 21
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
2014Turned 30
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2024Turned 40
AI reshapes industries; Paris Olympics
Gas: $3.31/galHome: $372,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Espresso" — Sabrina CarpenterBest Picture: Anora
2026Age 42 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Selected 23rd overall in the 2003 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers, jumping straight from high school.
- Averaged a career-high 12.8 points per game during the 2008-09 season as a key contributor for a 54-win Blazers team.
- Played in 37 playoff games across his career, including a run to the Western Conference First Round with the New Jersey Nets in 2013.
Did You Know?
His nickname 'Bonesaw' was reportedly given to him by a high school coach due to his thin frame.
He is the cousin of former NFL wide receiver and return specialist Dexter McCluster.
Outlaw was part of the trade that sent guard Marcus Thornton from the Sacramento Kings to the Brooklyn Nets in 2014.
“I learned this game by just playing, straight to the league.”
