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1936

Basketball makes its Olympics debut, with nine preliminary round games taking place at Olympiapark in Berlin. The United States men’s team was scheduled to play on this day but instead were granted a victory via forfeit when their scheduled Spanish opponents withdrew from the competition due to the nation’s ongoing civil war.

1948

Fred Brown is born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His “Downtown” nickname in reference to his long range shooting came during his days leading Lincoln High School to Wisconsin state titles in 1966 and 1967.

1982

Vassillis Spanoulis is born in Larissa, Greece. His pro career started at 16 with his hometown club, Gymnastikos S. Larissas.

1989

Six-time NBA All-Star DeMar DeRozan is born in Compton, California.

1992

The women’s Unified Team defeats China 76-66 in the Barcelona Olympics gold medal game. It’s the third and final Olympics gold medal for the team that formerly played as the Soviet Union now participates as Russia. In the bronze medal game, the United States defeats Cuba 88-74. Teresa Edwards is the leading scorer with 18 points for the U.S., which had been defeated by the Unified Team two days prior in the semifinals. This was the first of now 62 consecutive wins (and counting) for the U.S. women’s team in Olympics play (as of 2024).

1998

In a new format for the FIBA World Championship, a knockout quarterfinals round takes place in Athens. The United States defeats Italy 80-77 behind 16 points from Steve Hawkins. Meanwhile, Yugoslavia defeats Argentina 70-62, Russia dominates former Soviet republic Lithuania 82-67, and the host Greeks advance past Spain 69-62.

2000

Jerry West announces his retirement as the Lakers’ general manager, ending an 21-year run in the team’s front office that included six championships and one NBA Executive of the Year award (in ’95-’96). West is replaced by Mitch Kupchak.

2021

Avenging a loss from the preliminary round, the United States men’s team defeats France 87-82 in the gold medal game at the Tokyo Olympics. Kevin Durant leads the U.S. with 29 points and joins Carmelo Anthony as the only players to earn three career gold medals. Rudy Gobert and Evan Fournier score 16 points each in the losing effort. Meanwhile, Australia wins its first ever medal in Olympic play, with a 107-93 victory over Slovenia in the bronze medal game. Patty Mills secures his FIBA legend status with 42 points and nine assists, while Luka Doncic finishes with 22 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists.

2024

In the quarterfinals round of the women’s tournament at the Paris Olympics, the United States defeats Nigeria 88-74. A’ja Wilson leads the U.S. with 20 points and 11 rebounds.

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