Bormio, Italy - July 29 - August 5, 1987

A young and talented Yugoslavian junior team not only captured the gold at the 1987 Junior World Championship, but in the process, twice defeated the two-time defending champion USA team.

Held in Bormio, Italy, the tournament's start was delayed six days after the Bormio area was hit with a disastrous mud slide and flood. Coach Larry Brown's USA squad had hopes of capturing the United States' third FIBA Junior World Championship in as many tries, and with a talented roster featuring 6-foot-7 Lionel Simmons, 6-foot-2 Stephen Thompson, 7-foot-2 Dwayne Schintzius and 6-foot-6 Larry Johnson, the U.S. optimism rightfully was high.

Opening the competition facing Puerto Rico, the United States, led by Thompson's 19 points and 16 points each from Ron Huery and Schintzius, recorded a solid 109-89 victory. Simmons accounted for 16 points as the U.S. held off Australia 84-80, then, one day later, the Americans topped China, 100-50, as Simmons scored 21 points.

Meeting also-unbeaten Yugoslavia, the U.S. was handed a 110-95 loss as future Yugoslavia sensation Toni Kukoc rocked the U.S. for 37 points. Simmons led the Americans with 20 points. Regrouping, the U.S. defeated Nigeria, 98-73, as six U.S. players scored in double digits, then the Americans upended host Italy, 89-84, as Thompson erupted for 23 points.

Owning a 5-1 record, the U.S. faced Yugoslavia in the finals, one victory away from the gold. Limiting Yugoslavia's Kukoc the second time around to just nine points, it was Yugoslavia's big men, future Los Angeles Laker Vlade Divac and Boston Celtic draftee Dino Radja who did the damage. Six-foot-10 Radja accounted for 21 points and 10 rebounds, while 7-foot-1 Divac added 20 points and 15 rebounds. The U.S fell behind 29-15, but rallied to take a 43-40 lead at halftime. Yugoslavia, behind the play of its powerful front line regained control and momentum in the second half and went on to take the gold with an 86-76 win. The USA offensive attack was paced by 6-foot-3 Kevin Pritchard's 15 points, while Simmons added 13.