A dedication to basketball history, catalogued and ranked for posterity, then presented in convenient list form

On this date in basketball history: November 17

The Raptors trade Vince Carter to the Nets; Magic sets a Lakers assist record; Chris Webber is traded to the Bullets; Steph Curry’s record three-point streak ends

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2004

Vince Carter is traded from the Raptors to the Nets in exchange for Alonzo Mourning, Aaron Williams, Eric Williams, and two first round picks. Though Carter leaves Toronto as the franchise’s all-time scoring leader, fans were fed up with the four-time All-Star, who seemed indifferent to playing for the Raptors and had reportedly asked new general manager Rob Babcock to deal him.


1944

Jim Boeheim is born in Lyons, New York, a small town just 60 miles from Syracuse University, where he eventually coached for 47 years.

1945

Elvin Hayes is born in Rayville, Louisiana. He led Britton High School to the Louisiana state title in 1964, scoring 45 points in the championship game.

1960

NCAA All-American (at Missouri) Steve Stipanovich is born in St. Louis, Missouri.

1968

Sean Miller is born in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania. He played under his father, John, at Blackhawk High School in nearby Chippewa Township.

1975

Jerome James is born in Tampa, Florida. His high school didn’t even have a basketball team but James was spotted playing pickup basketball by Florida A&M head coach Ron Brown and recruited on the spot.

1976

Billy Cunningham has his jersey #32 retired by the 76ers. Cunningham spent his first seven pro seasons with Philadelphia, making four All-Star teams and winning a championship in 1967. His number is later temporarily “un-retired” controversially (but with Cunningham’s permission) for Charles Barkley.

1982

Katie Feenstra-Mattera (nee Feenstra) is born in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Her high school, Grand Rapids Baptist, retired her jersey #44 in 2007.

1989

Magic Johnson sets the Lakers single game franchise record with 24 assists in a 119-105 victory over the Nuggets. It breaks the mark previously held by Jerry West for 22 years.

1994

Reigning Rookie of the Year winner Chris Webber is traded from the Warriors to the Bullets in exchange for Tom Gugliotta and three first round picks. The trade was by request of Webber, who was at odds with Golden State coach Don Nelson.

2000

Jason Kidd ties John Drew’s single game record with 14 turnovers in a 90-85 Suns loss to the Knicks.

2006

Gilbert Arenas sets the Wizards single game franchise record with 60 points in a 147-141 victory over the Lakers in overtime. It breaks Earl Monroe’s record, which had stood for 38 years, and has since been tied by Bradley Beal.

2018

Kemba Walker breaks his own Hornets single game franchise record with 60 points in a 122-119 overtime loss to the Suns.

2020

The NBA formally announces its league schedule for ’20-’21, which is heavily altered by the ’19-’20 season delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Highlights include a controversial All-Star break and an extension of the play-in game into a full play-in tournament.

2023

Stephen Curry shoots 0-for-8 from three-point range in a Warriors win over the Trail Blazers, ending his record streak of 268 consecutive games with a three-point field goal.