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1959

Mitchell Wiggins is born in Lenoir County, North Carolina. North Lenoir High School retired his jersey #22 immediately after his graduation.

1963

NCAA star player and coach Johnny Dawkins is born in Washington, D.C.

1976

Gawen “Bonzi” Wells is born in Muncie, Indiana. His nickname was originally “Bonbon” in honor of his mother’s chocolate cravings while pregnant with him, which eventually morphed into “Bonzi” in childhood.

1977

Dave Bing signs as a free agent with the Celtics. The seven-time All-Star for the Pistons and Bullets ended his career with one season in Boston.

1981

Jose Calderon is born in Villanueva de la Serena, Spain where his father played professionally for the local club Doncel La Serena.

1982

Emeka Okafor is born in Houston, Texas. Both of his parents were Nigerian immigrants and gave him the name Chukwuemeka, which translates to “God has done well” in the Igbo language.

Anderson Varejao is born in Colatina, Brazil. He second all-time in NBA history amongst Brazilian-born players in career rebounds and blocks, and is third in career points.

1988

The Soviet Union women’s team defeats Australia 68-53 in the Olympics bronze medal game in Seoul. A prior semifinals round loss to the United States prevented the Soviets from winning a third consecutive gold medal.

1995

Caleb Martin is born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He was teammates at Davie County High School in nearby Mocksville with his twin brother, Cody, before the pair transferred to the prestigious Oak Hill Academy in Virginia.

1996

NCAA All-American Teaira McCowan is born in Bryan, Texas.

2000

Behind 16 points and 11 rebounds from Kevin Garnett, the United States men’s team defeats Russia 85-70 in the Olympics quarterfinals in Sydney. In the other quarterfinals match-ups, Lithuania defeats Peja Stojakovic and Yugoslavia 76-63, Australia outlasts Italy 65-62, and France pulls off a huge upset over Steve Nash and Canada, 68-63.

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