Salvador, Brazil - August 15-25, 1979

The inaugural FIBA Junior World Championship was a resounding success for the young Americans. Led by Barrington High School (Ill.) head coach Gary Cook, a talented USA team breezed past the competition and posted a perfect 8-0 record to capture the gold medal.

The 1979 U.S. Junior team was selected following the 1979 National Sports Festival basketball competition. The U.S. roster was filled with relative unknowns who would go on to make names for themselves in the college and NBA ranks. Players such as James Worthy, the MVP of the '79 National Sports Festival, Eric 'Sleepy' Floyd, Sam Perkins and Lafayette 'Fat' Lever were just some the future superstars who wore the USA red, white and blue uniforms at the 1979 Junior World Championship in Salvador, Brazil.

The U.S. men were awarded a 2-0 forfeit over Panama to open the competition when Panama failed to arrive at the tournament in time for the opening game. The U.S. in its first taste of competition handed Argentina a 98-61 loss. Canada was next to fall as the Americans crashed through the 100-point barrier en route to a 105-59 victory, and a 128-38 lopsided win over Egypt pushed the USA's record to 4-0.

The U.S. team broke a backboard during the warm-up prior to the start of its game against the USSR, causing a short delay, but the delay did nothing to halt the USA's momentum as the United States posted an impressive 94-78 win over the Soviet Union to finish 5-0 after preliminary pool play.

Playing aggressive defense and behind Worthy's 28 points and 23 points from Floyd, the U.S. cruised to a convincing 134-77 win over Italy in the opening game of championship-round play, and one day later, Worthy scored 27 and all 12 U.S. players put points on the board in a 99-74 rout of Yugoslavia.

Facing host Brazil in the championship game, a standing-room crowd estimated at 11,000 cheered their Brazilian team on, but the American team had too many scorers. Taking command early, the U.S. led comfortably at half, 41-22, and went on to record an impressive 75-55 win to earn the gold and remain undefeated. The U.S. was paced in the championship game by Floyd's 17 points, while Worthy added 12 and Scott Hastings tossed in 10 points. Argentina earned the bronze after edging Italy 71-70.

1979 USA Men's Junior World Championship Cumulative Statistics

NOTE: The USA played eight games, however, statistical totals reflect seven game totals because the USA was declared a 2-0 winner over Panama by a forfeit.