Madrid, Spain • July 5-20, 1986

For the first time in 32 years, the United States men brought home the World Championship gold medal. The boycotts and political overtones of the past few Olympiads had tarnished the Olympic gold and made the World Championship title the most coveted and prestigious of all.

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 title. But the U.S. behind the play of future stars like David Robinson, Charles Smith, Kenny Smith and Tyrone Bogues captured the USA's first World Championship title since the 1954 American squad did so.

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

Opening the semifinal round, Argentina shocked 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. Defeating Canada 77-65, the U.S. never trailed 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, Kerr was lost for the gold medal game after severely injuring his knee.

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

1986 USA MEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM ROSTER

1986 USA MEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM CUMULATIVE STATISTICS