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1955

The host Hungarians are surprise champions of the EuroBasket, clinching the title with a 71-60 victory over Romania in their final game in Budapest. It’s the first and only EuroBasket title in Hungary team history, and they have failed to finish in the tournament’s medal standings since. The Soviet Union lose twice in the tournament, breaking a streak of 32 consecutive EuroBasket wins, and settle for third place while Czechoslovakia finishes in second.

1957

Lakers coach John Kundla takes a new position in the franchise’s front office and turns over the head coaching position to former playing legend George Mikan.

1967

Claiming he is unhappy with his Warriors contract, Rick Barry defects for the ABA, signing with the Oakland Oaks. The Warriors subsequently sue him for breach of contract and win, forcing Barry to sit out the ’67-’68 ABA season.

1975

EuroLeague MVP Anthony Parker is born in Naperville, Illinois.

1978

Dirk Nowitzki is born in Wurzburg, Germany. His mother Helga played pro basketball and his father Jorg-Werner competed on the German national handball team.

1979

The Soviet Union wins its 12th EuroBasket title, defeating Israel 98-76 in the Final in Turin. Miki Berkovich is named tournament MVP for the Israelis, who win their first and only EuroBasket medal. Yugoslavia defeats Czechoslovakia in the third place game. Playing in his final EuroBasket, Sergei Belov of the U.S.S.R. becomes the first player to medal seven times, a mark matched since by only Kresimir Cosic and Pau Gasol.

1984

Houston’s Hakeem Olajuwon is the #1 overall NBA Draft pick of the Rockets, followed by notorious bust Sam Bowie (Kentucky) going second overall to the Trail Blazers. North Carolina’s Michael Jordan is drafted third by the Bulls, Auburn’s Charles Barkley is drafted fifth by the 76ers, and Gonzaga’s John Stockton is drafted 16th overall by the Jazz.

1986

Marvin Williams is born in Bremerton, Washington. He was named Washington Player of the Year in 2004 while starring for Bremerton High School.

Just two days after getting drafted second overall by the Celtics, Len Bias passes away at age 22 from a drug overdose.

1988

In game six of the NBA Finals, Isiah Thomas severely sprains his ankle but still guts it out and almost leads a Pistons comeback win, falling just short in a thrilling 103-102 Lakers victory that evens the series at 3-3.

1994

Hakeem Olajuwon clinches game six of the NBA Finals for the Rockets by blocking a potential buzzer beater from New York’s John Starks to secure an 86-84 win and even the series at 3-3.

1999

NBA champion Jordan Poole is born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

2000

Shaquille O’Neal drops 41 points, leading the Lakers to a 116-111 victory over the Pacers in game six of the NBA Finals, clinching the franchise’s first title in 12 years. O’Neal is named Finals MVP, becoming just the third player, along with Willis Reed and Michael Jordan, to earn All-Star MVP, league MVP, and Finals MVP in the same season.

2003

Jay Williams suffers a fractured pelvis and ACL tear, amongst other injuries, as the result of a motorcycle crash, ending his promising NBA career after just one season.

2021

Game seven of the Eastern Conference Semifinals is a mano-a-mano battle, with Giannis Antetokounmpo (40 points, 13 rebounds) leading the Bucks over Kevin Durant (48 points, nine rebounds) and the Nets, 115-111.

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