2003
SuperSonics legend Gary Payton is traded, along with Desmond Mason, to the Bucks in exchange for Ray Allen, Ronald Murray, Kevin Ollie, and a first round pick. Payton spent his first 12-and-a-half seasons with Seattle, and at the time of the trade was the franchise’s all-time leader in points, assists, and steals. Payton ended up playing just one half season with the Bucks while Allen made four All-Star appearances for the Sonics.
1963
Charles Barkley is born in Leeds, Alabama. He was the first Black child born at a previously segregated hospital.
1972
Larry Brown sets the ABA record for assists in a game, with 23 for the Denver Rockets in a win over the Pittsburgh Condors.
1977
Stephon Marbury is born in Brooklyn, New York. He was named New York “Mr. Basketball” while starring for Abraham Lincoln High School.
1987
James Johnson is born in Cheyenne, Wyoming. He led East Cheyenne High School to a state title in 2006.
1996
John Stockton becomes the NBA’s all-time steals leader, surpassing Maurice Cheeks with his 2,311th steal during a Jazz win over the Celtics.
2003
Just four days after his 40th birthday, Michael Jordan becomes the oldest player in NBA history to score 40 or more points in a game, finishing with 43 (along with 10 rebounds) in an 89-86 Wizards victory over the Nets.
2004
Rasheed Wallace makes his Pistons debut in an 88-87 loss to the Timberwolves, but is pulled after just 11 minutes of playing time when coach Larry Brown learns that Wallace was technically ineligible due to outstanding paperwork on the recent trade made to acquire him. The Pistons are later fined $200,000 by the NBA league office for the infraction.
2005
LeBron James scores 13 points in his NBA All-Star Game debut, as the Eastern Conference defeats the West 125-115 in Denver. Allen Iverson is named MVP for the second time in his career.
2011
On his home court in Los Angeles, Kobe Bryant earns his fourth NBA All-Star MVP award, tying Bob Pettit for the most all time. Bryant and the Western Conference defeat the East 148-143, despite a triple-double from LeBron James. Russell Westbrook scores 12 points in his All-Star debut.
2017
DeMarcus Cousins is traded from the Kings to the Pelicans, along with Omri Casspi, in exchange for Tyreke Evans, Langston Galloway, Buddy Hield, a first round pick, and a second round pick.
2018
The NCAA hands out sanctions to the University of Louisville, after a lengthy investigation into their recruiting scandal that took place between 2010 and 2014. The program is forced to vacate all of its wins from 2011 to 2015, including their 2013 NCAA Tournament title. Coach Rick Pitino is also suspended for five games, though the school had already fired him months prior when the federal investigation had started. It’s the first time in college basketball history that an NCAA Tournament title is vacated.