1968
The United States men’s team defeats Yugoslavia 65-50 in the gold medal game at the Mexico City Olympics. Spencer Haywood caps off an incredible run with a 21-point performance. The U.S. wins its record seventh consecutive Olympic gold medal despite numerous high profile hold-outs, most notably Kareem Abdul-Jabbar who sat out in protest of the Vietnam War and the poor conditions of Black Americans. In the bronze medal game, the Soviet Union defeats Brazil 70-53.
1939
Zelmo Beaty is born in Hillister, Texas.
1940
Bobby Knight is born in Massillon, Ohio.
1948
Dave Cowens is born in Newport, Kentucky.
Dan Issel is born in Batavia, Illinois.
1963
Jose Ortiz is born in Aibonito, Puerto Rico.
1969
Jerry Lucas is traded from the Cincinnati Royals to the San Francisco Warriors in exchange for Jim King and Bill Turner. Lucas would spend just two seasons with the Warriors before getting traded again, this time to the Knicks.
1985
Michael Jordan takes the court in his signature Nike Air Jordan shoes for the first time. Due to an archaic colorway rule, the NBA levies Jordan with a fine in every game he dons them.
1988
Chandler Parsons is born in Casselberry, Florida.
1995
Patrick McCaw is born in St. Louis, Missouri.
2000
David Stern and the NBA league office hand out its unprecedented punishment to the Timberwolves for their illegal Joe Smith contract: forfeiture of five first round draft picks and a $3.5 million fine.
2015
Flip Saunders passes away at age 60 from Hogdkin lymphoma. He had announced his diagnosis in August of 2015 and initially planned to continue his role as Timberwolves head coach and president for the ’15-’16 season, but his condition worsened soon after.
2023
Victor Wembanyama finishes with 15 points in his NBA debut, a 126-119 Spurs loss to the Mavericks. The much hyped rookie center makes three three-point field goals in the game, setting the franchise’s rookie debut record.
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