Michael Jeffrey Jordan is a businessman and retired
professional basketball player who is a minority owner
of the Charlotte Hornets of the National Basketball
Association.  

On January 7, 1927, the Harlem Globetrotters basketball team
traveled 48 miles west from Chicago to play their first game
in Hinckley, Illinois.

The Globetrotters were the creation of Abe Saperstein of
Chicago, who took over coaching duties for a team of
African American players originally known as the Savoy
Big Five (after the famous Chicago ballroom where they
played their early games).

At a time when only whites were allowed to play on
professional basketball teams, Saperstein decided to
promote his new team’s racial makeup by naming them
after Harlem, the famous African American neighborhood
of New York City.

The earliest known team photo of the Globetrotters,
from the 1930–1931 season. Standing from left: Abe        
Saperstein, Walter “Toots” Wright, Byron “Fat” Long,
Inman  Jackson, and William “Kid” Oliver. Seated: Al
“Runt” Pullins.

William (Bill) W. Schonely (June 1, 1929 – January 21, 2023)

On October 13, 1967, the Anaheim Amigos lost to the
Oakland Oaks, 134-129, in the inaugural game of the
American Basketball Association.    

In its first season, the ABA included 11 teams: the
Pittsburgh Pipers, Minnesota Muskies, Indiana
Pacers, Kentucky Colonels and New Jersey
Americans played in the Eastern Division, and
the New Orleans Buccaneers, Dallas Chaparrals,       

As the 1992-93 NBA season approached, Larry Bird decided
he could not continue. On Aug. 18, 1992 he announced his
retirement as a player.

After 897 games Bird retired with 21,791 points, 8,974 rebounds
and 5,695 assists. During his career he shot .496 from the floor
and .886 from the free-throw line, retiring as the fifth all-time free-
throw shooter behind Mark Price, Rick Barry, Calvin Murphy and
Scott Skiles.

Bird was named a special assistant in the Celtics’ front office,
with limited duties that included some scouting and player
evaluation. In reality, he spent most of the next five years in
Florida, playing golf and taking it easy.

Larry Joe Bird is 68 years old.