2000

Vince Carter puts on arguably the greatest individual performance in Slam Dunk Contest history, wowing fans and judges with an array of powerful jams in Oakland. The most iconic moment is his final dunk, a leap so high that he’s able to stick his entire arm through the hoop. Overshadowed by Carter’s all-time showing is additional dramatic displays by runners-up Tracy McGrady and Steve Francis.

1917

Al Cervi is born in Buffalo, New York. He was named All-City in both baseball and basketball while at East High School.

1934

Bill Russell is born in Monroe, Louisiana. Facing racism in the segregated South, Russell’s family re-located to Oakland when he was eight years old as part of the Second Great Migration.

1959

Three-time NBA All-Star Larry Nance, Sr. is born in Anderson, South Carolina.

1975

Scot Pollard is born in Murray, Utah. His father Pearl played basketball at the University of Utah.

1989

A record 44,735 fans are in attendance at the Astrodome in Houston, as the Western Conference defeats the East 143-134 at the NBA All-Star Game. Karl Malone leads all scorers with 28 points and is named MVP. John Stockton has 11 points and 17 assists in his All-Star debut but also sets the still standing single game record with 12 turnovers. It’s also notable as the first All-Star Game since 1979 to feature neither Larry Bird (who wasn’t selected) nor Magic Johnson (who deferred due to injury), and as the record setting 19th and final appearance of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. He retires as the game’s all-time career leader in points, field goals, and blocks, the last of which he still holds.

1995

Mitch Richmond scores 23 points off the bench and is named MVP of a 139-112 Western Conference victory over the East in the NBA All-Star Game in Phoenix. Grant Hill makes his debut and is in the starting lineup after becoming the first rookie ever to lead the league in fan voting.

1997

Vlade Divac sets the Hornets single game franchise record with 12 blocks in a 113-100 victory over the Nets.