Caracas, Venezuela • August 14-29, 1983

Featuring a roster filled with future professionals, the 1983 USA Pan American team, coached by Kansas State's Jack Hartman, was as talented a group as any assembled in the history of the Pan American Games. Tested in several games, the United States' solid play offensively as well as defensively carried the team to an unblemished 8-0 record, its third consecutive gold medal, and extended the U.S. win streak to 28 games.

The USA was led by several future NBA standouts -- 6'6' Michael Jordan, 5'11' Mark Price, 6'9' Wayman Tisdale and 6'9' Sam Perkins. Jordan finished the competition averaging 17.3 ppg., while Tisdale pumped in 15.5 ppg. and Perkins added 13.1 ppg. Tisdale and Perkins also topped the U.S. in rebounding, grabbing 7.1 rpg. and 5.9 rpg., respectively.

This USA team flirted with disaster from the start. Outside shooting threat Chris Mullin was forced home before Pan Am competition began after fracturing his foot in an exhibition game in San Juan. The USA ranks were further reduced when inside force Michael Cage returned home after two games because of an illness in his family.

Opening against Mexico, the U.S. men spotted Mexico a 20-4 advantage before rallying to overcome 40 percent shooting from the field and capturing a 74-63 win. The Americans' second win was another come-from-behind effort as a Jordan slam as time expired insured the USA's 72-69 win over Brazil. Facing host Venezuela, the USA found itself in another struggle. However, Georgia Tech sophomore guard Mark Price stepped forward and provided the U.S. with the needed spark and scored 17 points on eight of 13 shooting to help lift the USA to a 78-65 victory.

Advancing into the final round, the U.S. rolled past Canada 111-97 as Tisdale exploded for 29 points and 12 rebounds. Then, behind Tisdale's 19 points and 18 more from Jordan, the U.S. handed Mexico an 81-68 loss. Next the U.S. recorded a convincing 88-68 victory over Argentina as Jordan accounted for 24 points.

Balanced scoring was the key to the USA's second win over Brazil. Earning an 87-79 win, six U.S. players scored in double digits, including 16 from Jordan and 16 from University of Kentucky guard James Master, while Price and Tisdale each added 12, and Perkins and Leon Wood tossed in 10 apiece. Closing out the competition against Puerto Rico, the U.S. scored a 101-85 victory as Tisdale scored 20 points and Perkins added 18 points and 11 rebounds.

1983 USA PAN AMERICAN MEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM ROSTER

1983 USA PAN AMERICAN MEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM CUMULATIVE STATISTICS