---

1956

Bill Russell drops 20 points as the United States defeats the Soviet Union 86-56 in the quarterfinal round of the Olympics in Melbourne. Despite the result, both teams advance to the semifinals round.

1967

Charles E. Smith is born in Washington, D.C. He played prep ball at All Saints High School, which was soon after shuttered by the Archdiocese of Washington.

1968

Dee Brown is born in Jacksonville, Florida. Bolles High School retired his jersey #20 in a 2021 ceremony.

1969

South Korea clinches its first FIBA Asia Cup title with a 95-86 victory over the Philippines in the final game in Bangkok. Japan finishes with the silver medal while the Philippines earn bronze.

1972

Jamal Mashburn is born in The Bronx, New York. He grew up just down the road from the famed Rucker Park, where he regularly took part in pick-up games.

1983

Tanisha Wright is born in West Mifflin, Pennsyvlania. In 2000, she set a Pennsylvania state championship scoring record with 51 points in a losing effort for West Mifflin High School.

China defeats Japan 95-71 in the FIBA Asia Cup final in Hong Kong, clinching their fifth consecutive title. South Korea defeats Kuwait 83-60 in the bronze medal game. Not only is it a fifth title in a row for China, it’s also the fifth straight Asia Cup in which Japan and South Korea won the other medals. Guo Yonglin is the inaugural winner of the tournament MVP award.

1985

Shannon Brown is born in Maywood, Illinois. He was named Mr. Illinois in 2003 while starring at Proviso East High School, where he was teammates with fellow future NBA player Dee Brown (no relation).

1987

NCAA Most Outstanding Player winner Wayne Ellington is born in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania.

1988

WNBA champion Abby Bishop is born in Booleroo, Australia.

1994

Julius Randle is born in Dallas, Texas. His mother Carolyn played basketball at the University of Texas, which Julius considered attending before ultimately choosing Kentucky.

2015

Kobe Bryant announces his impending retirement at the conclusion of the ’15-’16 season.

The 76ers lose their 28th game in a row, a 92-84 defeat against the Grizzlies. It extends the NBA record for overall consecutive losses and also ties the NBA record for consecutive losses to open a season, at 18 (with the ’09-’10 Nets). Philadelphia would finally break both streaks two days later with a win over the Lakers.

On this date: full archive

---