This Day in Basketball History

2002 - Bison Dele's Catamaran dissappears at sea

Bison Dele's Catamaran disappears off the coast of the French Polynesian islands, and one day later, he, along with his captain and girlfriend, are presumed dead.

The details of Dele's (born Brian Williams) death remain hazy, but it is believed that his brother, Miles Dabord, murdered his three co-passengers before docking the boat in Tahiti on July 20. 

Dabord died two months later, intentionally overdosing on insulin to avoid being apprehended. The FBI learned of his whereabouts when Dabord attempted to use his brother's passport to purchase over $150,000 in gold. 

Dele was a curious figure in the NBA, but a talented one. The 6-foot-11 center retired with five years and over $36 million remaining on his contract with the Detroit Pistons amid the prime of his career to pursue other desires.

He played for five NBA teams and won a title in 1997 with the Chicago Bulls. 

Birthdays

1980 - Pau Gasol
1990 - Jae Crowder