Burgos, Palencia & Valladolid, Spain - July 22-31, 1993

Looking to prove that the United States truly had the world's best young basketball talent, the USA employed a collective, total team effort to make its statement in no uncertain terms as it earned the first FIBA 22 And Under World Championship gold medal with a perfect 8-0 record.

1993 USA Under 22 World Championship Team 1993 USA RESULTS (8-0) USA 89 Spain 62 USA 74 Italy 71 USA 94 South Korea 80 USA 97 France 60 USA 106 Angola 64 USA 82 Australia 56 USA 85 Italy 72 USA 87 France 73 1993 22 AND UNDER WORLD CHAMP. FINAL STANDINGS 1. USA (8-0) 7. Spain (3-5) 2. France (6-2) 8. Australia (3-5) 3. Brazil (6-2) 9. Israel (4-3) 4. Italy (5-3) 10. Angola (2-5) 5. Greece (5-3) 11. S. Korea (1-6) 6. Argentina (3-5) 12. Taiwan (0-7)

Placed in a preliminary pool with France, Italy, Spain, Angola and South Korea, the United States opened the 12-team tournament in Burgos facing a tough Spanish team in its homeland.

Jumping out to a 7-0 lead against Spain, the U.S. never trailed in the contest, however, the Americans were unable to put away the host Spaniards in the first half and led 37-34 at halftime. The U.S. scored the first six points of the second half to take command 43-34 and never looked back as it sailed on to a 89-62 win.

The USA slipped past a seasoned Italian crew 74-71 on four last-minute free throws to win their second game of the tournament. Moving out to an early 17-8 lead, the U.S. offense began to sputter and by half the U.S. trailed Italy by five, 42-37. The USA opened the second half with an 11-6 scoring run to tie the contest 48-48 with 16 minutes to play and went on to lead by as many as eight before Italy rallied and cut the U.S. lead to three, 69-66 with 2:04 to play. Sinking four of five free throws in the game's final 31 seconds, the U.S. held off Italy for the 74-71 win. Person led the United States' offense with 20 points and nine rebounds.

Now 2-0, the American contingent relied on its depth to sweep through its remaining preliminary pool play scoring convincing victories over South Korea 94-80, France 97-60 and Angola 106-64.

A change of venue was in store for the USA as it entered the quarterfinals in Valladolid, Spain, and the Americans reacted with an 82-56 routing of Australia. Opening up a 5-2 lead in the first two minutes, Person got the hot shooting hand and scored 10 of the USA's next 11 points as the Americans went ahead 16-10. Australia rallied back to tie the game 18-18, but by half the U.S. had regained the lead, 34-29.

Australia kept things close early in the second half and pulled within a point, 41-40 with just under 16 minutes to play. But behind the scoring of Jones, the U.S. went on a 17-0 scoring run to take control 58-40 and put Australia away.

By defeating Australia, the USA advanced to the semifinals and a rematch with Italy. This time the Italians would not come near an upset as the U.S. scored the 85-72 victory and earned a place in the next day's gold medal game versus France.

As had been the case throughout the event, the USA relied on a total team effort to defeat France 87-73 for the gold medal.

Although France opened a 6-0 lead to start the contest, the USA, following a field goal from Georgetown's Othella Harrington and a three-point basket from Arizona State's Stevin Smith, took a 17-13 lead with 1 3:49 to play in the first half and never looked back. By half the American men were in command 43-26. The United States sailed to the 87-73 victory and the first FIBA Under 22 World Championship title.

1993 USA Men's 22 and Under World Championship Roster