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1919

Ossie Schectman, scorer of the first basket in NBA history, is born in Kew Gardens, New York.

1940

Jerry Lucas is born in Middletown, Ohio.

1962

The inaugural FIBA AfroBasket concludes in Cairo with the host Egyptians (then playing under the banner of United Arab Republic) defeating Morocco 61-38 to clinch the title.

1973

John MacLeod is hired as head coach of the Suns. He would eventually hold the position for 14 seasons, becoming the winningest coach in franchise history and leading the team to its first NBA Finals appearance in 1976.

1981

An NCAA Tournament National Third-Place Game is played for the final time, with Virginia defeating LSU 78-74 in Philadelphia. The consolation game had been a constant in the tournament since 1949, but was discontinued starting with the 1982 edition.

1986

Texas becomes the first women’s team of the NCAA era to finish a season undefeated, as they defeat USC 97-81 in the NCAA women’s tournament National Final in Lexington, Kentucky. USC superstar Cheryl Miller struggles in her final collegiate game, finishing with 16 points but on 2-of-11 shooting from the field. Clarissa Davis is named Most Outstanding Player.

1991

Duke pulls off one of the biggest upsets in NCAA Tournament history, upending defending champion UNLV 79-77 in the National Semifinals in Indianapolis. It breaks a 45-game winning streak for the Runnin’ Rebels, who have not returned to the Final Four since. Duke went to defeat Kansas in the National Final.

1993

Kiah Stokes is born in Marion, Iowa.

1997

Tennessee wins it second consecutive NCAA women’s tournament title, and fifth overall, with a 68-59 victory over Old Dominion in the National Final in Cincinnati. Chamique Holdsclaw is named Most Outstanding Player.

1998

Kentucky wins its second NCAA title in a three-year span, defeating Utah 78-69 in the National Final in San Antonio. Jeff Sheppard is named Most Outstanding Player.

2001

Charles Barkley has his jersey #34 retired by the 76ers. Despite a contentious relationship with team management, Philly media, and the fans, Barkley was a six-time All-Star for the Sixers.

2006

Reggie Miller has his jersey #31 retired by the Pacers.

2009

Alonzo Mourning has his jersey #3 retired by the Heat. Mourning played 10-and-a-half seasons with Miami, making five All-Star appearances, winning two Defensive Player of the Year awards, and winning a championship in 2006.

2013

Wichita State ends a surprise run to the NCAA Tournament Final Four as a #9 seed with Regional Final upset over #2 seed Ohio State in Los Angeles. The Shockers had previously upset top seed Gonzaga in the second round.

2019

It’s a wild finish in the South Regional Final in Louisville, with top seed Virginia ultimately defeating #3 seed Purdue 80-75 in overtime. Purdue led by three points with 5.9 seconds remaining in regulation but Virginia forced overtime on a wild final sequence which included a purposefully missed free throw, a mad scramble to retrieve the ball in the backcourt, and then an unlikely hero in Mamadi Diakite who hits the game-tying jumper. Purdue’s Carsen Edwards score 42 points in the losing effort and is named Most Outstanding Player of the regional.

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