A dedication to basketball history, catalogued and ranked for posterity, then presented in convenient list form

On this date in basketball history: July 27

Reggie Lewis collapses and passes away; two original NBA franchises fold; the U.S. men win gold at the Montreal Olympics

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1993

During an offseason practice session, Celtics All-Star Reggie Lewis suffers a sudden cardiac arrest and is pronounced dead on the scene at age 27. Lewis, who had just made his first All-Star appearance during the ’91-’92 season, was found to have been suffering from a rare, undetected heart defect called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.


1947

ABA legend Mack Calvin is born in Fort Worth, Texas.

The Pittsburgh Ironmen and Toronto Huskies BAA franchises fold, two of four teams to shutter after just one season of the league. The NBA would eventually return to Toronto in 1995, when the Raptors franchise began play, but has not returned since to the city of Pittsburgh.

1952

Marvin Barnes is born in Providence, Rhode Island. His “Bad News” nickname dates back to his days at Central High School in Providence, when he was part of a bus robbery and was easily identifiable by wearing a state championship jacket embroidered with his name on it.

AAU star Bob Kurland scores 21 points to lead the United States to a 57-44 victory over Uruguay in the group stage of the Helsinki Olympics.

1976

Mwadi Mabika is born in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (then Zaire). She was playing professionally in her hometown when she was discovered by her fellow Zairean Dikembe Mutombo, who helped her reach the United States to play in the WNBA.

The United States men’s team defeats Yugoslavia 95-74 in the gold medal game at the Olympics in Montreal, exacting revenge for their loss four years prior but indirectly, as the Yugoslavians had upset the Soviet Union in the semifinals, denying the U.S. a re-match. Adrian Dantley puts on an all-timer performance, finishing with 30 points while Drazen Dalipagic drops 27 for Yugoslavia. In the bronze medal game, Sasha Belov (no relation to Sergey, who finished the game with 22 points) puts on a show, with 23 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists as the Soviet Union defeats Canada 100-72. It would turn out to be final national team appearance for Belov, who passed away just two years later from cancer.

1980

In an overtime thriller at the Olympics in Moscow, Yugoslavia defeats the Soviet Union 101-91 in the semifinal round. Drazen Dalipagic is the hero for Yugoslavia, finishing with 28 points and opening the overtime period with six straight. Based on the result, Yugoslavia clinches a spot in the gold medal game while the Soviets, with a second straight loss, are relegated to playing in the bronze medal game.

1986

DeMarre Carroll is born in Birmingham, Alabama. He led John Carroll Catholic High School to back-to-back Alabama state titles in 2003 and 2004.

1990

Two-time WNBA All-Star Glory Johnson is born in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

1992

Given an opportunity to play against their future Bulls teammate, Toni Kukoc, Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen tighten the screws defensively, leading the U.S. men’s team to a 103-70 win over Croatia at the Olympics in Barcelona.

1994

Italy stuns the United States 81-72 in the semifinals of the Goodwill Games in Saint Petersburg, Russia. On the same day, the host Russians are upset by Puerto Rico in the other semifinal match-up. The U.S. team featured Damon Stoudamire, Cherokee Parks, and a young Tim Duncan.

1996

Teresa Edwards (20 points, 15 assists, seven rebounds) and Katrina McClain (24 points, 11 rebounds) dominate as the United States women’s team defeats Australia 96-79 in group stage play at the Atlanta Olympics.

2013

Candace Parker scores a record 24 points and is named MVP as she leads the Western Conference to a 102-98 victory over the East at the WNBA All-Star Game in Connecticut. Tina Thompson becomes the first player with nine All-Star appearances while Elena Delle Donne also makes All-Star history as the first rookie to ever lead in fan voting (though she doesn’t participate due to an injury). Brittney Griner and Nneka Ogwumike also make their All-Star debuts.

2019

Erica Wilson is named MVP at the WNBA All-Star Game in Las Vegas. A team drafted by captain A’ja Wilson defeats a team drafted by Elena Delle Donne 129-126. Wilson is unable to participate in the game due to an injury.

2024

The men’s tournament group stage gets underway at the Paris Olympics. On the first day of competition, Victor Wembanyama scores 19 points to lead the host French team to a 78-66 victory over Brazil, while Canada defeats Greece 86-79 despite a 34-point performance from Giannis Antetokounmpo.