For most people, birthdays can be one of the most special days of the year. According to Almanac, August is ranked first in the average number of births in the US. Nine percent of the population, or about 21 million Americans, have birthdays in August.
We all share birthdays with millions of people worldwide, including famous personalities such as NBA players. If you were born in August, it means you might be sharing with famous NBA players’ birthdays, including the two who won five championships each with the iconic franchise of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Let’s get into it!
Which NBA Players Celebrate Their Birthdays in August?
Most of the popular NBA players born in August show their greatness in the league, with a few being superstars and franchise cornerstones. Some are still in their 20s, and a few are in their early 30s.
Here’s the list of popular NBA players born in August:
Current NBA Players Who Were Born in August
Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies (August 10, 1999)
Just a few years after being drafted, Ja Morant became a superstar in the NBA. At 23, he had already established himself as a franchise cornerstone of his up-and-coming team. Morant was a Rookie of the Year, Most Improved Player, an All-Star, and All-NBA Second Team. He averaged 27.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 6.7 assists, leading his team to the second seed in the West and the second round of the 2022 NBA playoffs.
James Harden, Philadelphia 76ers (August 26, 1989)
In his years in Houston, James Harden was one of the most explosive scorers this league has ever seen. He was racking up triple-doubles on a nightly basis, including a few fifty-point games. The Beard was an MVP, a ten-time NBA All-Star with multiple All-NBA Team inclusions.
DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls (August 7, 1989)
DeMar DeRozan started his career in Toronto and played nine seasons as a Raptor. He had a fantastic 2021-2022 season, averaging 27.9 PPG, 5.2 RPG, and 4.9 APG for the Chicago Bulls, with an incredible display of his midrange game and playmaking ability. He averaged 20.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game. Like many great players, DeRozan is yet to win a championship.
Khris Middleton, Milwaukee Bucks (August 12, 1991)
Khris Middleton is arguably the second-best player on the Milwaukee Bucks. Drafted in 2012, Middleton averaged 17.1 PPG, 4.9 RPG, and 3.8 APG on 45.8% shooting. His outstanding game compliments Giannis Antetokounmpo, as the two won an NBA title in 2021.
Kristaps Porziņģis, Washington Wizards (August 2, 1995)
Kristaps Porziņģis was the fourth overall pick by the New York Knicks in the 2015 NBA Draft. A skillful and promising big man from Latvia was projected to be the next cornerstone of the Knicks franchise. In 2019, he was traded to the Dallas Mavericks. The European duo of Doncic-Porzingis in Dallas didn’t work well as Porzingis was plagued with injuries in his two years with the Mavericks. He has a career average of 18.9 PPG, 7.9 RPG, and 1.6 APG and currently playing for the Washington Wizards.
LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets (August 22, 2001)
LaMelo Ball is another rising star in the league. He joined the NBA in 2020 as the 3rd overall pick by the Charlotte Hornets. He won the Rookie of the Year award in 2021 and was selected as an NBA All-Star in 2022. Entering his 3rd NBA season, Ball is averaging 18.3 PPG, 6.4 RPG, and 7 APG.
Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves (August 5, 2001)
Anthony Edwards was the first overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft and currently playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves. He finished second in the Rookie of the Year voting. The Ant-Man has a great NBA career so far, averaging over 20 points per game.
Other Popular NBA Players Born in August
- Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors (August 1, 2001)
- Caris LeVert, Cleveland Cavaliers (August 25, 1994)
- Rudy Gay, Utah Jazz (August 17, 1986)
- Seth Curry, Brooklyn Nets (August 23, 1990)
- Jusuf Nurkić, Portland Trailblazers (August 23, 1994)
- Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks (August 31, 1996)
- Mikal Bridges, Phoenix Suns (August 30, 1996)
- Kevin Huerter, Atlanta Hawks (August 27, 1998)
- Bogdan Bogdanović, Atlanta Hawks (August 18, 1992)
- Andre Drummond, Chicago Bulls (August 10, 1993)
- Danilo Gallinari, Boston Celtics (August 8, 1988)
- Boban Marjanović, Houston Rockets (August 5, 1988)
- Austin Rivers, Minnesota Timberwolves (August 1, 1992)
- Cameron Payne, Phoenix Suns (August 8, 1994)
- Patty Mills, Brooklyn Nets (August 11, 1988)
- Kevin Knox, Detroit Pistons (August 11, 1999)
- DeMarcus Cousins, Denver Nuggets (August 13, 1990)
- P.J. Washington, Charlotte Hornets (August 23, 1988)
- Naz Reid, Minnesota Timberwolves (August 26, 1999)
- Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic (August 27, 2001)
- Jeff Green, Denver Nuggets (August 28, 1986)
- Dwayne Bacon, Charlotte Hornets (August 30, 1995)
- Bismack Biyombo, Phoenix Suns (August 28, 1992)
- Dewayne Dedmon, Miami Heat (August 12, 1989)
- Kendrick Nunn, Los Angeles Lakers (August 3, 1995)
Retired NBA Players Who Were Born in August
August might be considered one of the greatest months of birth in the NBA because of these Hall of Fame inductees on the list. Every basketball list with Kobe, Magic, and Wilt clearly speaks for greatness.
Here’s the full list of retired and popular NBA players born in August:
Kobe Bryant (August 23, 1978)
Kobe was one of the greatest ever to touch the basketball. He was a season MVP, two-time NBA Finals MVP, and 5-time NBA champion with multiple All-NBA and All-Defensive Team selections, and he currently sits in the fourth place of all-time leading scorers in the NBA.
Magic Johnson (August 14, 1959)
Magic Johnson was one of the greatest point guards in NBA history. He is a 5-time NBA champion, 3-time MVP, and 3-time Finals MVP with 12 All-Star selections in his Hall of Fame career.
Wilt Chamberlain (August 21, 1936)
Arguably one of the greatest athletes ever, Chamberlain was the only player in NBA history to score 100 points in a single game. He holds several untouchable records, including a 30-point, 20-rebound career average.
Reggie Miller (August 24, 1965)
Often regarded as the Indiana Pacers’ greatest player of all time, Miller was known as a deadly three-point shooter, especially in clutch situations. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2012.
David Robinson (August 6, 1965)
David Robinson is one of the only four players to record a quadruple-double in the NBA. He was an MVP, a two-time NBA champion, a 10-time All-Star, and a Hall of fame inductee.
Other retired popular NBA players born in August
- Patrick Ewing (August 5, 1962)
- Derek Fisher (August 9, 1974)
- Robert Horry (August 25, 1970)
- David West (August 29, 1980)
- Chucky Atkins (August 14, 1974)
- Craig Ehlo (August 11, 1961)
- Ralph Simpson (August 10, 1949)
- John Starks (August 10, 1965)
- Ime Udoka (August 9, 1977)
- Bob Cousy (August 9, 1928)
- Rashard Lewis (August 8, 1979)
- Cedric Ceballos (August 2, 1969)
What Do NBA Players Do on Their Birthdays?
Like most people, NBA players celebrate their birthdays the way they want. Some celebrate it in simple ways; others more memorably and remarkably.
Here are a few of the NBA players’ celebrations of their birthdays in the past few years:
- James Harden
On August 26, 2022, the Beard celebrated his 33rd birthday in style. A white birthday cake, which almost resembled a wedding cake, was presented to him. Harden then proceeded and threw it overboard.
- DeMar DeRozan
In 2014, DeMar celebrated his 25th birthday with fans and some pals. Out of nowhere, a guy who looked like the famous movie actor Johnny Depp was seen walking towards the then-Raptor guard. Eventually, the crowd knew it wasn’t the real Johnny Depp. However, DeRozan still acknowledged the guy and took a picture with him.
- Magic Johnson
In 2019, Johnson went on a vacation to celebrate his 60th birthday. They boarded a yacht together with his family and close friends. On his Instagram post, Johnson said being surrounded by his family on his birthday was the only thing he wanted.
Wrapping Things Up: Popular NBA Players Born in August
August is filled with many great players who can score fifty points regularly. We’re talking about Chamberlain’s 100 and Bryant’s 81, all in a single game. August seems to be an unbeatable lineup with great players from all generations. Who’s stopping the prime of Kobe, Wilt, Magic, Ewing, Reggie Miller, and even James Harden? With the rise of Morant, Ball, and Edwards, August seems hard to beat.
We hope you enjoyed this post! If you did, be sure to check out our other basketball FAQ articles here.
Want to know when your favorite NBA players are celebrating their birthdays? We have created a list of all the birthdays of the most popular players in the league. Check them out below: