During his final NBA season (2023-24), JaVale McGee celebrates a three-pointer against his former team, Golden State.
With over 5,000 players in NBA history, at least one player was born on every day of the calendar year – including three leap day ballers. Our day-by-day breakdown of the players born on each day of the year continues.
Below are the most notable NBA players born on Jan. 19.
Michael Adams (1963)
Adams had the odds against him when he was taken as an undersized point guard (5’10”) out of Boston College in the third round of the 1985 NBA Draft, but he carved out a solid 11-year career. The guard spent his first two seasons in Washington and Sacramento but broke out in his third year with the Denver Nuggets.
Adams played the next four seasons in Denver, averaging 18.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, 7.2 assists and 2.0 steals as one of the best point guards in the NBA. His 1990 statistics were the best of his career, averaging 26.5 points and 10.5 assists in his final season with the Nuggets. That’s why Washington got him back in 1991, with Adams making his sole All-Star appearance in his first year back with the Bullets. He closed his career with two years playing for the Charlotte Hornets before retiring in 1996.
JaVale McGee (1988)
McGee was a fan favorite throughout his career, mixing magical dunks with some funny moments along the way. The big man was the 18th overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, spending his first four seasons with the Washington Wizards. He became a force in those final two years in Washington, averaging 10.6 points, 7.9 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game. That’s why Denver acquired him in 2010, spending the next four seasons with the Nuggets.
After that, McGee had small stints with the Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks, Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings and Cleveland Cavaliers. He most recently played for the Kings last year and is looking for one last chance in the NBA. McGee made the most of his 16-year career, winning three titles during that span (2017, 2018, 2020).
Want to see every NBA player born on January 19? Here is the rest of the list in chronological order:
- Buddy O’Grady (January 19, 1920)
- Dillard Crocker (January 19, 1925)
- Bill Mlkvy (January 19, 1931)
- Phil Rollins (January 19, 1934)
- Gary Melchionni (January 19, 1951)
- Grant Gondrezick (January 19, 1963)
- Clinton Smith (January 19, 1964)
- Andy Toolson (January 19, 1966)
- Tito Horford (January 19, 1966)
- Marty Conlon (January 19, 1968)
- Luc Longley (January 19, 1969)
- Arvydas Macijauskas (January 19, 1980)
- Kai Jones (January 19, 2001)
