October 31

1950 - Earl Lloyd (right), of the Washington Capitols, becomes the first African American to play in an NBA game. The Caps lost to the Rochester Royals, 78-70.

1953 - NBA journeyman player and coach John Lucas is born in Durham, North Carolina.

1997 - Violet Palmer and Dee Kantner make history when when they officiate the NBA season-opener between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Dallas Mavericks, the first time women referees work an NBA game.

2006 - Fifteen top NBA and WNBA players and NBA legends including Carmelo Anthony of the Nuggets, Amare Stoudemire of the Suns, Ray Allen of the Sonics, Emeka Okafor of the Bobcats and Richard Jefferson of the Nets, Hall of Famer Bill Walton and Kenny Smith of TNT appear on Wheel of Fortune, to raise money for the victims of Hurricane Katrina and other charities during Wheel of Fortune's NBA Week. The NBA and WNBA stars will be playing for their favorite charities and for the Red Cross, with a minimum of $100,000 of their winnings going to assist Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.