October 15

From Hoopedia

• 1966 - Bill Russell coaches his first game as the NBA’s first black head coach, leading the Boston Celtics to a 121-113 win over the San Francisco Warriors at Boston Garden.

• 1970 - (Above) The tradition of Midnight Madness begins in College Park, Maryland. The NCAA does not permit basketball teams to begin their official practices before October 15. Maryland coach Lefty Driesell was the first to have his team's first regular-season practice begin at 12:01 A.M.

• 1985 - Max Zaslofsky, named to four All-NBA teams, including the very first one, passes away in New Hyde Park, New York. He was the youngest player ever named to the All-NBA team until LeBron James.

• 2005 - Atlanta Hawks center Jason Collier tragically dies en route to a hospital from a "sudden heart rhythm disturbance caused by an abnormally enlarged heart." He was only 28 years old.