1984
Larry Nance defeats Julius Erving in the final round to capture the trophy in the first ever NBA Slam Dunk Contest. It’s part of the inaugural NBA All-Star Saturday Night, which also includes the Legends Classic, an exhibition game featuring numerous retired Hall of Fame players, including Pete Maravich, Sam Jones, Rick Barry, Oscar Robertson, and Jerry West.
1949
NBA coaching legend Gregg Popovich is born in East Chicago, Indiana. He played baseball and basketball at Merrillville High School.
1959
The United States and Soviet Union face off for the first time in FIBA World Championship competition, with the U.S.S.R. winning easily, 62-37. It breaks a 15-game winning streak for the U.S. in FIBA World Championship games.
1960
The host Philippines clinch the championship in the first ever FIBA Asia Cup, by defeating Taiwan 99-78 in Manila. Japan defeats South Korea to claim the bronze medal.
1962
Michael Cage is born in West Memphis, Arkansas. At West Memphis High School, he was teammates with another future NBA player in Keith Lee.
1972
Elena Baranova is born in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan (then the Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic). In 1997, she became the first international player in WNBA history and in 2001 became the first Russian player to be named a WNBA All-Star.
1974
Tony Delk is born in Covington, Tennessee. He was named Mr. Basketball Tennessee in 1992 while starring for Haywood High School.
1982
Rudy Tomjanovich has his jersey #35 retired by the Rockets. The five-time All-Star who spent his entire career with the team became the first player in franchise history with a retired number.
1984
Andre Iguodala is born in Springfield, Illinois. After a star career at Lanphier High School, the school retired his jersey.
1985
In a 111-109 Mavericks victory over the 76ers, Mark Aguirre scores a career high 49 points, setting a Dallas franchise record that would stand for over nine years. Aguirre was motivated by learning earlier in the day that he had been snubbed for the just announced All-Star Game roster.
2010
Hot Rod Hundley is honored by the Jazz with a banner raised to the rafters in recognition of his decades of broadcasting games for the franchise.