Manila, Philippines • October 1-14, 1978

The United States sent an Athletes In Action (AIA) squad to the Eighth FIBA World Championship as once again the dates for the tournament prohibited any collegiate players from competing, and the USA representatives finished with a 6-4 overall record to place fifth.

Opening against Australia, the U.S. struggled but 6'11' Ernest Wansley helped rally the U.S., scoring 12 of his 19 points in the second half to lift the USA squad to its 77-75 win. Tim Hall and Irvin Kiffin scored 18 and 16 points, respectively, as the U.S. rolled over the Dominican Republic 104-65, and the U.S. closed out the preliminary competition 3-0 after posting a 96-79 victory over Czechoslovakia as Brad Hoffman tallied 22 points.

Advancing to the semifinals round optimistic of continuing their winning ways, the U.S. optimism quickly faded as the Americans suffered defeats in four of its first five semifinal round games, the first three coming by a total of just 10 points.

Opening the semifinals round versus Italy, the U.S. trailed 47-39 at half and rallied to make a game of it. But Italy scored with 36 seconds remaining to take charge 81-77 and hung on to hand the U.S. an 81-80 loss despite 19 points from Mike Jackson.

Next, eventual gold medalist Yugoslavia handed the Americans a 100-93 loss as Kiffin led the U.S. offense with 24 points, and Wayne Smith and Tim Hall accounted for 19 and 17 points, respectively.

Behind Eugene Parker's 18 points, the USA's two-game skid was halted after the Americans earned a hard fought 96-90 victory over Canada.

Despite the USA leading 46-39 at halftime and by as many as 11 point in the third quarter, Brazil rallied to edge the U.S. 92-90 as Parker was credited with 19 points.

The Soviet Union ended the USA's string of close ball games but not its string of losses as the Soviets man-handled the U.S., winning 97-76 as Smith led the U.S. with 13 points.

Behind 26 points from Parker, the USA squad managed to get back on the winning path, recording a 100-70 victory over an outclassed Philippines.

Facing Canada in the fifth place game, as had been the case in their first encounter, the two teams played evenly for most of the game. Although the U.S. led 50-47 at half, the contest was tied 94-94 with 1:38 to play. Hoffman, a 5'9' guard, saved the day, making a steal and scoring with five seconds remaining to give the U.S. its 96-94 win and fifth place finish. Kiffin finished with 25 points, Hoffman added 20.

Yugoslavia defeated the Soviets 82-81 in overtime win gold, while Brazil edged Italy 86-85 to capture bronze.

1978 USA MEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM ROSTER

1978 USA MEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM CUMULATIVE STATISTICS