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1928

Arild “Vern” Mikkelsen is born in Parlier, California. His father, a Danish immigrant pastor, soon after re-located the family to Minnesota, where Vern became a high school, college (Hamline University) and pro legend.

1955

Longtime NBA player and coach Johnny Davis is born in Detroit, Michigan.

1964

Bill Bradley leads the way with 16 points as the United States defeats Puerto Rico 62-42 in the semifinals of the Olympics in Tokyo. In the other semifinal, the Soviet Union defeats Brazil 53-47, setting up a clash of the top two teams in the gold medal game.

1976

Willis Reed has his jersey #33 retired by the Knicks. Over a 10 season career all spent with the franchise, Reed was league MVP in 1970, Rookie of the Year in 1965, an All-Star seven times, and Finals MVP twice.

In the first NBA game featuring a former ABA franchise, the Pacers force overtime against the defending champion Celtics but ultimately lose, 129-122. Billy Knight is Indiana’s leading scorer with 29 points.

Moses Malone makes his NBA debut and it’s a quiet one, logging zero points and just one rebound in four minutes of playing time for the Buffalo Braves, who defeat the Bucks 133-112.

1983

Shelden Williams is born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. At Midwest City High School, he was named an All-American and Oklahoma Player of the Year in 2001.

1990

Ricky Rubio is born in El Masnou, Spain. Amongst Spanish born players, he is the all-time NBA leader in assists and steals.

1992

NBA champion (with the Warriors in 2022) Damion Lee is born in Baltimore, Maryland.

2012

The Indiana Fever clinch their first WNBA championship with an 87-78 victory over the Minnesota Lynx in game four of the WNBA Finals. Tamika Catchings leads the Fever with 25 points and eight assists and is named Finals MVP.

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