Madrid, Spain - July 5-20, l986

Since its inception in 1950, the FIBA World Championship had always been a coveted championship and in 1986 it became even more significant. Because the '86 World Championship was scheduled to be held at the same time as the 1986 Goodwill Games, the inaugural men's Goodwill Games basketball title was based on results from the Worlds.

1986 USA Men's Goodwill Games Team 1986 USA RESULTS (9-1) USA 99 Ivory Coast 63 USA 107 China 81 USA 81 F. R. Germany 68 USA 73 Puerto Rico 72 USA 86 Italy 64 Argentina 74 USA 70 USA 77 Canada 65 USA 69 Yugoslavia 60 USA 96 Brazil 80 USA 87 USSR 85 1986 GOODWILL GAMES FINAL STANDINGS 1. USA (9-1) 13. Australia (2-3)* 2. Soviet Union (9-1) Angola (2-3)* 3. Yugoslavia (9-1) F.R. Germany (2-3)* 4. Brazil (8-2) France (3-2)* 5. Spain (7-3) Ivory Coast (0-5)* 6. Italy (7-3) Malaysia (0-5)* 7. Israel (5-5) Netherlands (2-3)* 8. Canada (6-3) New Zealand (1-4)* 9. China (2-8) Panama (1-4)* 10. Greece (3-7) Puerto Rico (2-3)* 11. Cuba (3-7) South Korea (0-5)* 12. Argentina (5-5) Uruguay (2-3)* *NOTE: Records reflect results from preliminary rounds only. Teams did not qualify for finals.

Relying on relative unknowns from the college ranks, head coach Lute Olson and his 12-man team were widely considered a dark horse to win the gold. But the USA, behind the play of future stars like David Robinson, Charles Smith, Kenny Smith and Tyrone Bogues, captured dual crowns, the first Goodwill Games gold as well as the World Championship title.

The U.S. emerged from pool play in Malaga, Spain, 5-0 but not before escaping a scare from Puerto Rico. Easily winning its first three games against Ivory Coast, China and West Germany, the U.S. needed a jumper from Robinson in the final minute before claiming a 73-72 win over Puerto Rico, then behind Kenny Smith's 20 points, the U.S. disposed of Italy 86-64.

Opening the semifinal round, Argentina upset the U.S. 74-70 despite 17 points from Charles Smith. Needing wins in its two remaining semifinal games if any medal was to be realized, the young American team regrouped and played inspired basketball for the remainder of the tournament. Never trailing, the U.S. defeated Canada 77-65 as Charles Smith scored 18 points, and Steve Kerr and Derrick McKey each added 15 more. Relying on a swarming defense, the U.S. advanced on to the medal round with a 69-60 win over highly touted Yugoslavia. 5'3' Tyrone Bogues held 6'5' Yugo star Drazen Petrovic scoreless for the first eight minutes as the U.S. jumped out to a 19-2 lead. Robinson led the U.S. with 21 points and 17 rebounds.

The USA advanced to the gold medal game after upending Brazil 96-80. Leading Brazil 50-24 with five minutes left in the first half, the U.S. cruised to the win as Robinson's 17 points led six American players in double figures. However, there was some bad news as three-point threat Kerr was lost for the gold medal game after severely injuring his knee.

The USA-USSR gold medal matchup was no less dramatic than expected. Leading 48-38 at halftime, with 7:45 remaining the U.S. was comfortably ahead 78-60. But the Soviet's, behind the inside play of 7'2' star Arvidas Sabonis and the shooting of Vlademaras Khomichus, stormed back and closed the gap to a single basket with 50 seconds remaining. A Kenny Smith layup over Sabonis with 15 seconds left pushed the USA's lead to 87-83 and the U.S. held on to win 87-85. Kenny Smith finished with 23 points, Robinson added 20 and Charles Smith finished with 17 points. Khomichus led the Soviets with 17 points, while Sabonis and Valeri Tikhonenko added 16.

1986 USA Men's Goodwill Games Cumulative Statistics