1946

Inspired by his spite over the Rochester Royals refusing to play an exhibition game in his hometown, Syracuse bowling alley owner Danny Biasone pays $5,000 to start his own NBL franchise, the Syracuse Nationals, kicking off one of the biggest regional rivalries in the early days of pro basketball. The Nationals later joined the NBA in 1949, won the title in 1955, and re-located to Philadelphia and became the 76ers in 1963.

1955

Seven-time NBA All-Star and SuperSonics legend Jack Sikma is born in Kankakee, Illinois.

1957

During a Syracuse Nationals win over the Warriors, Dolph Schayes surpasses George Mikan as the NBA’s all-time leading career scorer, a record he would hold for six years until it was broken by Bob Pettit.

1968

Lionel Simmons is born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was inducted into the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame in 2008 in recognition of his prep (at South Philadelphia High School) and college (at La Salle) achievements.

1970

Longtime NBA player and broadcaster David Wesley is born in San Antonio, Texas.

1986

“Hoosiers” is released in theaters. The seminal basketball film stars Gene Hackman and is loosely based on the real story of Milan High School, which won the 1954 Indiana state title.

1992

Brad Davis becomes the first player in Mavericks franchise history to have his jersey retired, when his #15 is raised to the rafters. Part of the inaugural ’80-’81 Dallas team, Davis went on to spend 12 years with the franchise, retiring in 1992 as their all-time assists leader.

2009

In just his seventh career NBA game, Brandon Jennings explodes for 55 points for the Bucks in a 129-125 victory over the Warriors. It still stands as the single game rookie record in the post-merger era.

2011

Chris Paul is traded from the Hornets to the Clippers, along with a second round pick, in exchange for Al-Farouq Amin, Eric Gordon, Chris Kaman, and a first round pick.