2000
A much-hyped women’s gold medal match-up at the Sydney Olympics is a rout, as the United States defeats host Australia 76-54. Teresa Edwards becomes the first player in men’s or women’s basketball to earn four gold medals. Natalie Williams and Lisa Leslie score 15 points each to lead the U.S., while Australia gets 20 points and 13 rebounds from Lauren Jackson, who created some controversy when she pulled off one of Leslie’s hair extensions during the game. Meanwhile, Brazil gets 28 points from Janeth Arcain in an 84-73 victory over South Korea in the bronze medal game.
1944
Three-time ABA All-Star Austin “Red” Robbins is born in Leesburg, Florida.
1954
John Drew is born in Vredenburgh, Alabama. He led J.F. Shields High School to an Alabama state title in 1972.
1956
NCAA Tournament hero Jerome Whitehead is born in Waukegan, Illinois.
1970
Nebraska legend Eric Piatkowski is born in Steubenville, Ohio.
1973
Ruben Wolkowyski is born in Juan Jose Castelli, Argentina. In 2000, he became the first Argentinean player in NBA history, when he took the court for the SuperSonics. His NBA stint lasted just 41 total games but Wolkowyski had a successful pro career in Europe and was part of the Argentina team that won gold at the 2004 Olympics.
1988
In the Olympics gold medal game in Seoul, Arvydas Sabonis leads the way with 20 points and 15 rebounds as the Soviet Union defeats Yugoslavia 76-63. Sarunas Marciulionis adds 21 points for the Soviets, while Drazen Petrovic leads Yugoslavia with 24 points.
1989
Jasmine Thomas is born in Fairfax, Virginia. She was named Virginia State Player of the Year in 2007 while starring for Oakton High School.
2018
The U.S. women dominate again at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup, defeating Australia 73-56 in the gold medal game in Spain. Breanna Stewart is named tournament MVP while Sue Bird becomes the first player, men’s or women’s, to win four FIBA world titles.
2019
The Fair Pay to Play Act is signed into law in California, a landmark bill that would allow college athletes to accept sponsorship and endorsement money while still maintaning their collegiate eligibility, in defiance of then current NCAA regulations. With similar bills proposed in other U.S. states, the NCAA soon after responded by easing its restrictions on athlete profit.
2020
The Lakers defeat the Heat 116-98 in game one of the NBA Finals. LeBron James finishes with 25 points, 13 rebounds, and nine assists, and officially makes his 10th NBA Finals appearance, placing him third all-time, tied with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and trailing only Bill Russell (12) and Sam Jones (11).
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