1997

Coaching legend Dean Smith makes an abrupt and surprise retirement announcement. Smith had spent 36 years as head coach at North Carolina, winning two national titles and compiling 879 victories, which was the record at the time. He is replaced by his longtime assistant, Bill Guthridge.

1924

Arnie Risen is born in Williamstown, Kentucky.

1970

Kenny Anderson is born in Queens, New York. At Archbishop Malloy High School, he became the first player ever named all-city in New York four times.

1973

With the opening of the ’73-’74 season, the NBA begins officially tracking blocked shots and steals. Elmore Smith of the Lakers becomes the first player ever to lead the league in blocks per game, while Larry Steele of the Trail Blazers is the first to do so in steals.

1978

Juan Dixon is born in Baltimore, Maryland.

1981

Darius Miles is born Belleville, Illinois.

1992

Jerian Grant is born in Silver Spring, Maryland.

1993

The roster is announced for “Dream Team II,” the United States men’s basketball team that would compete at the 1994 FIBA World Championships in Toronto. Highlights include Dominique Wilkins, Larry Johnson, Alonzo Mourning, and Shawn Kemp.

2009

Diana Taurasi leads the way with 26 points as the Phoenix Mercury defeat the Indiana Fever 94-86 in a winner-take-all game five of the WNBA Finals. Taurasi becomes the first player since Lisa Leslie in 2001 to earn league MVP and Finals MVP in the same season.