1972
The Naismith Hall of Fame is officially opened to the public in Springfield, Massachusetts. Though inductions had started in 1959, this was the Hall of Fame’s first physical facility, which took nearly a decade to build due to budgetary issues. The centerpiece of the museum was a replica of the original court where basketball was first played just a few miles away at Springfield College in 1891.
1963
Michael Jordan is born in Brooklyn, New York. The family moved to Wilmington, North Carolina before he started school.
1973
Drew Barry is born in Oakland, California while his father, Rick, was playing for the Warriors.
1977
WNBA All-Star Brandy Reed is born in San Francisco, California.
1978
Jerry Sloan has his jersey #4 retired by the Bulls. A two-time All-Star for the franchise, and four-time 1st-Team All-Defensive, Sloan becomes the first Bulls player with a retired jersey.
1980
Al Harrington is born in Orange, New Jersey. He was named National Prep Player of the Year during his senior year at St. Patrick High School in nearby Elizabeth.
1984
Marcin Gortat is born in Lodz, Poland. His father, Janusz, was a bronze medalist for Poland as a boxer in the 1972 Olympics.
1994
David Robinson becomes just the fourth (and, to this day, final) player to record an NBA quadruple-double, finishing with 34 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, and 10 blocks in a 115-96 Spurs win over the Pistons.
1996
Isiah Thomas has his jersey #11 retired by the Pistons. A two-time champion and one-time Finals MVP, at the time of his retirement, Thomas was also the franchise’s all-time leader in points, assists, steals, and All-Star appearances.
2022
While attempting to return home to the U.S. after playing a season in the Russian Premier League, Brittney Griner is detained and arrested for smuggling when Russian customs officials find a minor amount of hash oil in her luggage. She is eventually sentenced to nine years in prison but serves less than one thanks to a prisoner exchange with the U.S. government.
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