Zach LaVine
A high-flying scorer whose gravity-defying dunks launched him from a dunk contest phenom into a two-time NBA All-Star.
Born 1995 (age 31)·American basketball player·Birthday: March 10·Millennials
Biography
Zach LaVine's story is one of explosive athleticism refined into all-around stardom. Drafted out of UCLA by the Minnesota Timberwolves, he first captured the basketball world's imagination by winning the NBA Slam Dunk Contest as a rookie, and then again the following year with a iconic performance that included a between-the-legs jam from the free-throw line. For years, the narrative painted him as just a dunker. LaVine, however, was determined to be more. He dedicated himself to crafting a complete offensive game, developing a reliable three-point shot and a knack for creating his own shot off the dribble. A trade to the Chicago Bulls became his proving ground. There, he blossomed into a primary scorer, averaging over 25 points per game and earning back-to-back All-Star selections. His journey reached an international pinnacle when he won a gold medal with Team USA at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, finally cementing his status not as a sideshow, but as a central figure in the sport.
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.
Zach was born in 1995, 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 Zach Was Born
The biggest hits of 1995
#1 Movie
Toy Story
Best Picture
Braveheart
#1 TV Show
Seinfeld
Zach's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1995Born
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
2000Started school
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
2008Became a teenager
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
2011Could drive
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
2013Could vote
Edward Snowden reveals NSA surveillance programs
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $152,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Thrift Shop" — Macklemore & Ryan LewisBest Picture: 12 Years a Slave
2016Turned 21
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
2025Turned 30
AI agents go mainstream
Gas: $3.10/galHome: $385,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"APT." — Rose & Bruno Mars
2026Age 31 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won back-to-back NBA Slam Dunk Contests in 2015 and 2016.
- Earned NBA All-Star selections in 2021 and 2022 as a member of the Chicago Bulls.
- Won an Olympic gold medal with Team USA at the 2020 Summer Games in Tokyo.
- Averaged a career-high 27.4 points per game during the 2020-21 NBA season.
- Recorded the first 50-point game of his career in 2023, scoring 51 points against the Detroit Pistons.
Did You Know?
He played point guard for much of his high school career in Washington state.
His father, Paul, was a professional football player in the United States Football League (USFL).
He is a devoted fan of the Seattle Seahawks.
He wore jersey number 8 for the Bulls as a tribute to Kobe Bryant's Olympic number.
“I always believed I could be more than just a dunker. I put the work in to make sure people saw that.”
