This Day in Basketball History
1965 - Bill Russell becomes highest-paid NBA player
After helping the Boston Celtics win their seventh consecutive NBA championship, five-time MVP Bill Russell signs a contract to become the league's highest-paid player.
The contract, which pays Russell $100,001 per season, makes him the second player to earn a salary of $100,000 or more. Rival Wilt Chamberlain signs a $100,000 deal earlier in the offseason.
The Celtics win their eighth straight championship the following season, with Russell averaging 19.1 points and 25.2 rebounds in the playoffs.
2003 - Allen Iverson scores 28 points in 23 minutes in Olympic qualifying game
Allen Iverson sets a Team USA single-game record for scoring in an Olympic qualifying game with 28 points in 23 minutes against Canada.
Iverson shoots 10-for-13, including a record 7-of-8 from beyond the 3-point line, and hits a free throw to account for his record-breaking point total. He also records three assists, three steals and one rebound in the 111-71 blowout.
Birthdays
1970 - Robert Horry
1976 - Damon Jones
1987 - Viacheslav Kravtsov