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

On this date in basketball history: December 11

The Big East starts its inaugural conference season; the NBA Silver Anniversary team is announced; David Stern relents on the synthetic basketballs

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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

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.

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.

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.

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

Rebekkah Brunson is born in Washington, D.C.

1986

Roy Hibbert is born in Queens, New York.

1992

Malcolm Brogdon is born in Atlanta, Georgia.

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.

2021

Zach Randolph has his jersey #50 retired by the Grizzlies. Randolph becomes the first player in franchise history to be honored as such.