1979
In the first intra-conference game of the newly formed Big East, Boston College defeats Seton Hall 82-61. Formed by a group of independent Catholic schools in response to new NCAA scheduling regulations, the Big East quickly became a dominant force, with Villanova and Georgetown winning championships in the ’80s while representing the conference.
1931
NBA champion Ernie Beck is born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
1946
George Mikan files a lawsuit against his NBL team, the Chicago American Gears, claiming his contract was not being financially fulfilled. The franchise counter-sued Mikan, who also began an extended hold out from the team. The sides came to an agreement out of court a few weeks later, and Mikan finished his rookie season with the Gears.
1959
Richie Guerin becomes the first Knicks player ever to score 50+ in a game, setting the single game franchise record with 57 points in a 152-121 victory over the Syracuse Nationals. It blows away the previous record of 47 points, held by Carl Braun since 1947, and stands as the franchise standard until Bernard King breaks it in 1984.
1965
Japan clinches its first ever FIBA Asia Cup title with an 89-63 victory over South Korea in a final round game in Kuala Lumpur. The Philippines earn the silver medal and South Korea gets the bronze.
1967
Katy Steding is born in Portland, Oregon. She returned to her hometown in 1996, as one of the original players on the Portland Power of the short-lived American Basketball League.
1971
The NBA Silver Anniversary Team is unveiled in honor of the league’s 25th season. It features 10 retired players (Bill Russell, Sam Jones, George Mikan, Dolph Schayes, Bob Cousy, Bill Sharman, Paul Arizin, Bob Davies, Joe Fulks, and Bob Pettit) and one coach (Red Auerbach).
1976
Shareef Abdur-Rahim is born in Marietta, Georgia. He was named Georgia Mr. Basketball in 1994 while leading Wheeler High School to a state title.
1979
With a 70-68 victory over host Japan in overtime in Nagoya, China clinches its third consecutive FIBA Asia Cup title. Japan ends up with the silver medal while South Korea earns bronze.
1981
WNBA legend Rebekkah Brunson is born in Washington, D.C.
1986
Two-time NBA All-Star Roy Hibbert is born in Queens, New York.
1992
Malcolm Brogdon is born in Atlanta, Georgia. His father Gino is a former judge and television legal analyst while his mother Jann is a former psychology professor and dean.
2006
Due to intense player backlash, the NBA league office announces that it will cease use of the new synthetic ball and revert back to the original ball style for the remainder of the ’06-’07 season.
2008
Cuttino Mobley announces his retirement from the NBA after 10 seasons, due to the discovery that he suffers from the heart disease hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which had previously led to the deaths of Reggie Lewis and Hank Gathers. The condition had been discovered in a routine physical when Mobley had been traded weeks prior from the Clippers to the Knicks.
2021
Zach Randolph has his jersey #50 retired by the Grizzlies. Randolph becomes the first player in franchise history to be honored as such.
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