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1921

Naismith Hall of Fame inductee Bobby Wanzer is born in Brooklyn, New York.

1953

The Soviet Union dominates the EuroBasket on their home court in Moscow, defeating Yugoslavia to finish the round robin finals at 7-0 and clinch the title. Hungary finishes in second place and France in third.

1963

Xavier McDaniel is born in Columbia, South Carolina. After retiring from basketball, he returned to his home town to become a real estate investor.

1965

Tim Perry is born in Freehold, New Jersey.

1968

Elvin Hayes (Houston) and Wes Unseld (Louisville) are the top two picks in the NBA Draft, going to the San Diego Rockets and Baltimore Bullets, respectively. In the ’68-’69 season, Hayes becomes the first rookie to win the NBA scoring title while Unseld becomes just the second (after Wilt Chamberlain) to earn league MVP. They would eventually team up on the Bullets to win a championship in 1978.

1974

Katie Smith is born in Lancaster, Ohio. She was named Gatorade National Player of the Year in 1992 while starring at Logan High School.

1980

Just one year removed from being named Finals MVP, Dennis Johnson is traded from the SuperSonics to the Suns in exchange for Paul Westphal.

1983

Italy wins its first EuroBasket title, defeating Spain 105-96 in the Final in Nantes, France. The Soviets earn the bronze medal, in Arvydas Sabonis’ EuroBasket debut. Spain’s Juan Antonio Corbalan is named tournament MVP.

1988

James Worthy leads the way with 28 points as the Lakers hold off an upset bid from the Mavericks with a 117-102 victory in game seven of the Western Conference Finals. Magic Johnson has a near triple-double, with 24 points, 11 assists, and nine rebounds.

1990

Greg Monroe is born in New Orleans, Louisiana. He led Helen Cox High school to a Louisiana state title in 2007.

1993

The Bulls finish off a tough Knicks team with a 96-88 victory in game six of the Eastern Conference Finals. Michael Jordan’s 25 points and nine assists leads Chicago, which clinches their third consecutive NBA Finals appearance.

1995

The Magic defeat the Pacers 105-81 in game seven of the Eastern Conference Finals to clinch the first NBA Finals appearance in franchise history. Shaquille O’Neal leads Orlando with 25 points and 11 rebounds.

2000

The Lakers stage a dramatic late comeback against the Trail Blazers in game seven of the Western Conference Finals, punctuated by a Kobe Bryant alley-oop pass to Shaquille O’Neal to seal an 89-84 victory and advancement to the NBA Finals.

2010

UCLA coaching legend John Wooden passes away at age 99.

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