1956

Led by Bill Russell, who delayed the start of his NBA career in order to participate, the United States men’s team defeats the Soviet Union 89-55 in the Olympics gold medal game, finishing off a dominant run in Melbourne in which they defeated all eight of their opponents by 30 points or more. Russell finishes the game with 13 points while AAU star Bob Jeangerard is the leading scorer with 16. In the bronze medal game, Uruguay defeats France 71-62.

1939

ABA All-Star Walt Simon is born in Delcambre, Louisiana.

1962

Pamela McGee is born in Flint, Michigan. Along with her twin sister, Paula, she led Flint Northern High School to back-to-back state titles in 1979 and 1980.

1991

During a Pistons victory over the Rockets, Isiah Thomas surpasses Bob Lanier as the franchise’s all-time leading scorer with his 15,489th point. Thomas finished his career with 18,822 points and still holds the record, while Joe Dumars eventually moved past Lanier into second.

1992

Gary Payton II is born in Seattle, Washington while his father was playing for the SuperSonics.

1997

A heated Warriors practice escalates into Latrell Sprewell attacking and choking coach P.J. Carlesimo. Sprewell was subsequently suspended from the NBA for one year and had his Warriors contract voided.

2008

The Houston Comets, winner of the first four WNBA championships, fold after 12 seasons in the league. The franchise was originally owned by the Houston Rockets, sold in 2007 to Hilton Koch, then returned in 2008 to the league, which was forced to dissolve the team.

Earl Monroe has his jersey #10 retired by the Wizards. In four-and-a-half seasons with the Baltimore Bullets, Monroe was Rookie of the Year and an All-Star twice.