Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic • August 2-6, 2003

In every game until the end, the USA men's basketball team suffered three narrow defeats to place fourth at the 2003 Pan American Games in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

Coached by Michigan State University's Tom Izzo, the squad posted a 2-3 record, losing its three games by one point, six points and 12 points in a game that was closer than the final score indicates.

The United States' effort was led by Emeka Okafor as the 6-9 center posted a team-high average of 12.0 ppg. while shooting 68.3 percent (28-41 FGs) from the floor. Chuck Hayes accounted for 11.2 ppg. and a team leading 7.6 rpg., while 6-9 forward Arthur Johnson finished averaging 10.0 ppg. Guard Andre Barrett was credited with 9.2 ppg., and led the team in assists, averaging 2.4 apg., and shot a team best 53.8 percent (7-13 3pt FGs) from 3-point.

Featuring eight teams divided into two preliminary groups of four teams each, the USA men opened the 2003 Pan American Games tournament in dramatic fashion, scoring a thrilling come-from-behind 80-79 victory over favorite Argentina. Tied at 74 with 2:17 to play, the USA's Stepp drilled a 25-foot 3-pointer from the right side of the key to give the USA a lead it would not relinquish. Hayes led his squad with 17 points (7-10 FGs) and five rebounds, while Okafor added 13 points and six boards, and Diogu finished with 11 points and added a USA best eight rebounds.

For the second-straight night the game went to the final possession, but this time it was the Americans who came out on the short end, falling 86-85 to Puerto Rico as the U.S. missed an 18-footer at the buzzer. The USA was led by Barrett's 16 points, while Arthur Johnson pumped in 15 off the bench.

In need of a victory if it were to advance to medal round semifinals, the USA fought its way to a 74-72 win over Uruguay on Aug. 3. For the third consecutive night, the outcome was decided in the final seconds as Barrett this time proved to be the hero after tying up Uruguay's Alejandro Muro to give the USA possession and deny Uruguay an opportunity for a game-winning shot with the Americans clinging to a two-point lead. Johnson led the USA with 17 points, while Hayes added 10 points and a team-high seven rebounds.

The Americans were denied a shot at the gold medal when they were outlasted by Brazil, 92-80, on Aug. 5. Cold shooting stymied the USA, which held a 76-74 lead with 4:18 remaining in the game. However, Brazil reeled off 13 unanswered points in the next four minutes to pull away. Okafor led the Americans with 18 points and Hayes posted an impressive double-double of 15 points and 13 rebounds.

Finally, the USA failed to medal at the Pan Ams for just the second time (first was in Cali, Columbia, in 1971) when it fell 76-70 in a rematch with Puerto Rico in the bronze medal game on Aug. 6. The U.S. trailed 48-27 at halftime but stormed back to cut Puerto Rico's lead to 64-60 with 3:49 remaining following a layup by Diogu, however the U.S. did not complete the rally as Puerto Rico held on for the win. The USA was led by Gordon, who posted 12 points, while Hayes added 10 points and nine rebounds, and Okafor finished with 10 points as well.

Brazil won the gold medal, blowing out host Dominican Republic 89-62, in the tournament finale. Mexico defeated Argentina, 95-90, to finish fifth, while Canada polished off Uruguay, 83-52, to place seventh in the tournament.

2003 USA PAN AMERICAN MEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM ROSTER

2003 USA PAN AMERICAN MEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM CUMULATIVE STATISTICS