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1928

Earl Lloyd is born in Alexandria, Virginia.

1951

With George Mikan hobbled by a fractured leg, the Rochester Royals manage to pull off a 3-1 Western Division Finals upset over the Minneapolis Lakers by winning game four 80-75. The Royals, who are now the Sacramento Kings, advance to the NBA Finals for the first and only time in franchise history.

1957

Charles Jones is born in McGehee, Arkansas.

The Rochester Royals re-locate to Cincinnati, where they remain until 1972, when they move again to Kansas City.

1962

The Warriors play their final home game in Philadelphia, a 109-99 win over the Celtics in game six of the Eastern Conference Finals (the Celtics would go on to win game seven to finish the series). In the ensuing offseason, the Warriors re-located from Philadelphia to Oakland.

1967

Pervis Ellison is born in Savannah, Georgia.

1975

Michael Olowokandi is born in Lagos, Nigeria.

1976

Jim Boeheim is hired as head coach at Syracuse. Over 47 years in the position, Boeheim would lead the Orange to the Final Four five times and a national title in 2003.

1981

DeShawn Stevenson is born in Fresno, California.

1983

The NCAA women’s tournament National Final in Norfolk, Virginia is a thriller, with Most Outstanding Player Cheryl Miller and USC holding on for a 66-64 victory over Louisiana Tech, when a potential game-tying buzzer beater from Kim Mulkey is off the mark.

1985

Armintie Herrington is born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Drazen Petrovic drops 36 points to lead Yugoslavian squad Cibona to an 87-79 victory over Real Madrid in the EuroLeague championship game.

1987

In a pregame ceremony before a game against his current team, the 76ers, Julius Erving’s former team, the Nets, retire his #32 jersey. The 76ers would also later retire his #6 jersey.

1988

Louisiana Tech defeats Auburn 56-54 in the NCAA women’s tournament National Final in Tacoma, Washington. It was a third consecutive upset for the Lady Techsters, who had previously upended #1 overall seed Texas in the Regional Final and defending champions Tennessee in the National Semifinal. Erica Westbrooks is named Most Outstanding Player and to the all-tournament team alongside her teammate, Teresa Weatherspoon.

1994

Walter Davis has his jersey #6 retired by the Suns. The franchise’s all-time scoring leader became the third NBA player with a #6 retired jersey after Bill Russell and Julius Erving. In honor of Russell, the #6 is now retired league wide.

Charlotte Smith hits an improbable buzzer beating three-pointer to lift North Carolina to a 60-59 victory over Louisiana Tech in the NCAA women’s tournament National Final in Richmond, Virginia. Smith is named Most Outstanding Player.

1995

UCLA wins its first NCAA Tournament title in 20 years, defeating Arkansas 89-78 in the National Final in Seattle. Ed O’Bannon finishes with 30 points and 17 rebounds and is named Most Outstanding Player.

1999

Kendall Gill records 11 steals (along with 15 points and 10 rebounds) for the Nets in an 88-77 win over the Heat, tying Larry Kenon’s all-time single game NBA record.

2000

Michigan State defeats Florida 89-76 in the NCAA Tournament National Final in Indianapolis. Spartans point guard Mateen Cleaves fights his way through a sprained ankle to score 18 points and is named Most Outstanding Player. This was the first title for Michigan State coach Tom Izzo, and the first of four Final Four appearances for Florida coach Billy Donovan.

2001

Jerry Stackhouse sets the Pistons single game franchise record with 57 points in a 110-83 victory over the Bulls. The record had previously been held by Kelly Tripucka for 18 years.

2006

Florida wins its first ever men’s national championship with a 73-57 victory over UCLA in the NCAA Tournament National Final in Indianapolis. Joakim Noah is named Most Outstanding Player. This UCLA team was the final team to represent the Pac-12 in a National Final, up to the conference disbanding in 2024.

2007

Tennessee finishes a dominant run through the NCAA women’s tournament with a 59-46 victory over Rutgers in the National Final. Candace Parker is named Most Outstanding Player.

2012

Baylor becomes the first NCAA women’s team to reach 40 wins, capping off a 40-0 record by defeating Notre Dame 80-61 in the National Final in Denver. Brittney Griner is named Most Outstanding Player.

2017

North Carolina defeats Gonzaga 71-65 in the NCAA Tournament National Final in Glendale, Arizona. It was Gonzaga’s first National Final appearance. Joel Berry II is named Most Outstanding Player.

2020

The WNBA league office announces that the 2020 season has been delayed indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Originally scheduled to begin on May 15, a truncated season eventually did get underway on July 25.

2021

An NCAA Tournament instant classic ends with Jalen Suggs nailing a desperation, banked-in, buzzer beating three-pointer to give Gonzaga a 93-90 overtime victory over UCLA in the National Semifinals in Indianapolis. With the win, Gonzaga improves to 31-0 and becomes the first team since Indiana State in 1979 to reach the National Final with a perfect record.

2023

Connecticut wins its fifth NCAA Tournament title, defeating San Diego State 76-59 in the National Final in Houston. Adama Sanogo is named Most Outstanding Player.

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