1962
The Warriors play their first game in San Francisco, a 140-113 victory over the Pistons at the Cow Palace, led by 56 points and 29 rebounds from Wilt Chamberlain. The franchise had re-located in the prior offseason from Philadelphia and would ultimately spend nine seasons in San Francisco before moving across the bay to Oakland.
1950
The United States men’s team competes for the first time in a FIBA World Championship, defeating Chile 37-33 in their opening match in Buenos Aires.
1954
The second FIBA World Championship tournament kicks off in Rio de Janeiro. The first day of competition includes the United States defeating Canada 59-37 and Philippines defeating Paraguay 64-52.
1964
The United States men’s team defeats the Soviet Union 73-59 in the gold medal game at the Olympics in Tokyo. Luke Jackson leads the way with 17 points, while Joe Caldwell adds 14 points. In the bronze medal game, Brazil defeats Puerto Rico 76-60.
1968
K.C. Jones has his jersey #25 retired by the Celtics. The eight-time champion had retired one year prior.
1971
A week before his 21st birthday, Phil Chenier becomes the youngest player in 22 years to take a court in an NBA game, scoring 29 points in a 109-101 Bullets loss to the Cavaliers. The last 20-year-old to appear in an NBA game had been George Kaftan in the ’48-’49 season. Chenier had joined the NBA via the newly instituted Hardship Draft, which allowed him to sign with a team before his college class had graduated.
1975
NCAA All-American Keith Van Horn is born in Fullerton, California.
Having bypassed college to enter the NBA Draft, Bill Willoughby becomes the first 18-year-old to take the court in an NBA game in 27 years, when he suits up for the Hawks in a win over the New Orleans Jazz. Four days later, fellow 18-year-old Darryl Dawkins makes his NBA debut with the 76ers.
1979
EuroLeague scoring champion Lynn Greer, Jr. is born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
2008
The NBA owners vote to allow for the use of instant replay starting with the ’08-’09 season, for referees to utilize to determine if a shot was worth two points or three, and in cases where clock malfunctions had occurred.
2024
The Clippers play their first game in the newly opened Intuit Dome, a 116-113 loss to the Suns. It marks the first time since the ’98-’99 season that the Clippers are not co-tenants with the Lakers. The innovative, high-tech new arena was fully funded by Clippers owner Steve Ballmar, who also purchased the nearby Forum to settle a territorial dispute with its previous owners.
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- American dream deferred: 15 greatest American players who have not participated in the NBA Olympics era
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Basketball, Listed 