2023

A’ja Wilson ties Liz Cambage’s single game WNBA record with 53 points during a 112-100 Las Vegas Aces victory over the Atlanta Dream. Wilson shoots 16-of-23 (69.6%) from the field and 20-of-21 (95.2%) from the free throw line. She becomes just the third player in WNBA history to top 50 points in a game, joining Cambage and Riquna Williams.

1963

Terry Catledge is born in Houston, Mississippi. He lost a year of eligibility at South Alabama when he took a leave of absence and enrolled at a community college near his hometown due to being homesick.

1986

Andray Blatche is born in Syracuse, New York. He gained Filipino naturalized citizenship in 2014 in order to play for the national team, despite no personal or professional connection at all to the Philippines.

1992

WNBA All-Star Cheyenne Parker is born in Queens, New York.

2001

LaMelo Ball is born in Anaheim, California. His first foray into organized basketball came in seventh grade, playing on an AAU team with his older brothers, Lonzo and LiAngelo.

2004

On the final day of group stage play in the women’s Olympics tournament in Athens, the United States defeats China 100-62 behind 19 points from first-time Olympian Diana Taurasi. The U.S. finishes the group stage undefeated at 5-0, as does Australia, who closes out the round with an 84-66 victory over Brazil.

2007

One year before the Olympics are set to begin, the United States “Redeem Team,” led by Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Dwyane Wade, play their first competitive basketball at the FIBA AmeriCup in Las Vegas, defeating Venezuela 112-69 in a preliminary round game. The U.S. team ultimately wins the tournament to secure their qualifying spot in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

2008

In a re-match from the 2004 Olympics semifinals, the United States men’s team exacts some revenge in Beijing, defeating Argentina 108-88 to advance to the gold medal game. Seven American players score in double-digits, led by Carmelo Anthony’s 21 points. Luis Scola leads Argentina with 28 points and 11 rebounds. In the other semifinal, Spain makes a fourth quarter comeback to defeat Lithuania 91-86.