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Who to Watch in Basketball

Preview of Men's Olympic Basketball

In 1989, the Federation International de Basketball (FIBA) voted 56-13 for "open competition," allowing the National Basketball Association's (NBA) players to compete in the Olympic Games and other international events for the first time.

The result was a dream come true for basketball fans.

With a team loaded with NBA all-stars, the United States' delighted fans, captivated the media and thrilled opponents as it cruised to the 1992 Olympic gold medal and re-established the country's dominance in the sport.

But while the new rule appeared to make the United States unbeatable in Olympic competition, it may have also elevated the level of play worldwide. Countries like Yugoslavia, Croatia, Lithuania and Greece may now send their top players to the NBA and still keep them eligible for the Olympic tournament. Australia's Luc LONGLEY and Croatia's Toni KUKOC helped lead the Chicago Bulls to the NBA Championship in 1996, and Lithuanian newcomer Arvydas SABONIS ranked second in the 1996 NBA Rookie of the Year balloting. Yugoslavia's Vlade Divac has become one of the NBA's most recognizable personalities with the Los Angeles Lakers, while Ethimis RETZIAS of Greece could become one of the league's newest stars as a first-round draft choice of the Denver Nuggets.

Although the presence of the NBA players may have lifted the Olympic basketball tournament to new heights, the tournament produced dream-like memories and heroes long before the arrival of the world's top professionals. Already a legend in his home country, Brazil's Oscar SCHMIDT entered his name into Olympic lore in 1988 when he scored 55 points against Spain and averaged 42 points per game in his eight Olympic contests. SCHMIDT will make his fourth Olympic appearance in 1996.

The longest winning streak in Olympic basketball history came to a controversial ending in 1972. The winners of every gold medal ever awarded in the sport, the United States entered the gold medal game against the Soviet Union with a perfect 62-0 all-time record at the Games. With three seconds left in the game, Doug COLLINS, now the head coach of the Detroit Pistons, sank two free throws to give the United States its first lead of the game, 50-49. The Soviets failed to score following the inbound pass, but an official had whistled play to stop with 1 second remaining. After the Soviets argued that they had requested a timeout before COLLINS' second freethrow, the clock was reset and the Soviets again failed to score. As the U.S. players celebrated on the court, FIBA Secretary General R. William Jones ordered the clock reset once again to 3 seconds. This time, Aleksandr BELOV caught the long inbound pass, stepped between two U.S. defenders and laid the ball in to give the Soviet Union the victory. The U.S. protest was denied, and the players unanimously voted to refuse their silver medals. The 12 medallions still sit unclaimed in a Munich vault.

The Soviets defeated the United States again in 1988, but the rivalry ended with the breakup of the Soviet Union prior to the 1992 Games. In its place, new matchups have developed as the result of familiarity, proximity or politics. Croatia, Lithuania and Yugoslavia staged fierce battles in the European Championships just to arrive in Atlanta. Yugoslavia won a silver medal in 1988 while Croatia and Lithuania finished second and third in 1992.

A long way from the rainy, outdoor clay court that served as the venue for the 1936 Games, the medal games in 1996 will take place at the spacious Georgia Dome where a record number of spectators are expected to cheer their teams through the tournament. But while the venues may have changed, the goals of the participants remain the same. Athletes still enter the tournament seeking a gold medal, a game-winning jump shot or simply the chance to compete against the world's best players.

These are the best of dreams. And at the Olympic Games, they all can come true.

Men's Teams

ANGOLA

Winner of the past four African Continental Championships, Angola qualified for its second Olympic Games tournament after finishing in 10th place in Barcelona in 1992. Power forward Jean Jacques CONCEICAO averaged 17.7 points per game in 1992, including a 24-point performance against eventual silver medalist Croatia, and leads the team in both scoring and rebounding. Forward Anibal MORIERA and guard Paulo MACEDO also return from the 1992 team that went 2 - 4 in Olympic play. Angola handily defeated Senegal in the African championship finals to earn its place in the Games.

ARGENTINA

Appearing in its first Olympic tournament since 1952, Argentina earned its trip to the Games with a second-place finish in the Basketball Tournament of the Americas. Although appearing in only two previous Olympic tournaments, Argentina will look to continue a rich basketball tradition that includes a gold medal at the first-ever World Championships in 1950 and 12 straight medal performances at the South American Championships. Guard Marcelo MILANESIO is the inspirational leader of the team, while Juan ESPIL, led the squad in scoring at the Tournament of the Americas.

AUSTRALIA

One of the international game's most consistent teams, Australia makies its seventh consecutive Olympic appearance after finishing with a sixth place finish in 1992. The team's best finish came in 1988, when it placed fourth in the tournament after losing the bronze medal game to the United States. Center Luc Longley was the first Australian to be drafted and play in the NBA where he currently plays with the Chicago Bulls. Making his fourth Olympic appearance, former NBA Seattle Supersonics standout Andrew GAZE scored 35 points during a qualifying tournament contest in leading Australia to the Games. GAZE was the sixth leading scorer in the 1992 Olympic Games, averaging 20.9 points per game.

BRAZIL

The ninth-place team at the 1992 tournament, Brazil earned its 12th trip to the Games as the third-place finisher at the Tournament of the Americas. A perennial international power, Brazil has won 14 of the 34 South American Championships and medaled in six of the previous 12 World Championships. Brazil won bronze medals at the 1948, 1960 and 1964 Olympic Games. An international basketball legend, Oscar SCHMIDT, is expected to play in his fourth Olympic tournament in Atlanta. SCHMIDT led the tournament in scoring in 1992, and holds the Olympic record tournament average with 42.8 points per game set during the 1988 Games. He also hold the Olympic single-game scoring record with 55 points against Spain in the 1988 tournament.

PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

Looking to improve on 1992's 0-7 mark at the Games, China returns for its sixth Olympic tournament after winning the Asian continental championship for the fifth consecutive time. The benefactors of a national boom of interest in the sport, China has dominated play in Asia and defeated Korea in the Asian championship finals to earn its trip to the Games. SUN Jun led the team during the 1992 Games with a pair of 22-point performances against Venezuela and Lithuania. TAO Shan, a 215cm (7ft 1in) center, also helped the Chinese to an eighth place finish at the 1994 World Championships in a performance that included wins over both Spain and Brazil. China's best international performances came in 1950 and 1959 when it won bronze medals at the World Championships.

CROATIA

The silver medalist in Barcelona, Croatia could contend for its second Olympic basketball medal after losing to the United States, 117 - 85, in the 1992 championship game. National Basketball Association (NBA) standouts Toni KUKOC of the World Champion Chicago Bulls and Dino RADJA of the Boston Celtics helped guide the team to the finals in 1992 and are expected back in the lineup in Atlanta. KUKOC was a three-time European Player of the Year and most valuable player of the 1990 World Championships while RADJA became just the sixth Celtic to score more than 1,000 points in a season. KUKOC and RADJA will be seeking their third Olympic medals in Atlanta after winning silver medals for Croatia in 1992 and Yugoslavia in 1988. Croatia came in third at the 1995 European Championships, after losing a close semifinal game to Lithuania.

GREECE

One hundred years after hosting the first Modern Olympic Games, Greece qualified for its first Olympic basketball competition with a fourth place finish at the European championships. Greece finished behind Yugoslavia, Lithuania and Croatia at the qualifying tournament to earn its place at the Games. Forward Theofanis CHRISTODOULOU led the team in scoring at the European championships, while guard Panayiotis GIANNAKIS averaged more than 19 points per game at the 1993 Championships. Panayiotis FASSOULAS played a pivotal role in securing the Greek team its first trip to the Olympic Games, while center Ethimis RETZIAS was the 1996 first round draft pick of the NBS's Denver Nuggets.

KOREA

In its sixth Olympic appearance, Korea returns to the Games after missing the tournament in 1992. Playing on its home court in Seoul in 1988, Korea placed ninth in the tournament for its best Olympic finish since 1948. Korea placed second behind China at the Asian Championships to qualify for the tournament to keep alive a streak 17 consecutive medal performances at the Asian Championships since 1963. Korea won the Asian title in 1969. Three-point specialist HUR Jae led the team in scoring with 19.5 points per game at the Asian Championships.

LITHUANIA

It was a long, strange trip for the tie-die clad Lithuanian team in Barcelona after the squad captured a surprising bronze medal in 1992. But as another team of experienced veterans take the floor in Atlanta, Lithuanian medal may become as fashionable as their Grateful Dead-inspired t-shirts. Long considered one of Europe's top players, Arvidas SABONIS brought his considerable talents to the NBA's Portland Trailblazers in 1995 - 96, and finished second in the Rookie of the Year balloting. Inspirational leader Sarunas MARCIUIONIS earned most valuable player honors at the European Championships after guiding the team to a second-place finish.

PUERTO RICO

The Tournament of the Americas champion, Puerto Rico enters its seventh Olympic basketball tournament after placing eighth at the 1992 Games. Puerto Rico enjoyed its best finish in 1964 when the team lost to Brazil 76 - 60 in the bronze medal game. Center Jose "Piculin" ORTIZ, a former player for the NBA's Utah Jazz, averaged 20 points per game at the qualifying tournament and could be joined in the lineup by another former NBA standout, Ramon RIVAS. RIVAS could be making his third trip to the Games after previous playing on the 1988 and 1992 Puerto Rican squads.

UNITED STATES

The most successful country in Olympic basketball history, the United States added fuel to its Olympic dominance in Barcelona when superstars from the NBA were allowed to compete in the Olympic Games for the first time. The inaugural "Dream Team" outscored opponents by more than 43 points per game to easily breeze to the 1992 gold medal, and the newest version of the U.S. squad could be headed for a similar reward. The U.S. roster again reads like an NBA all-star ballot. Three-time Olympian and 1995 NBA most valuable Player David ROBINSON of the San Antonio Spurs heads the list of players making multiple Olympic appearances along with Charles Barkley of the Phoenix Suns, Karl MALONE and John STOCKTON of the Utah Jazz, Scottie PIPPEN of the NBA champion Chicago Bulls and Mitch Richmond ('88) of the Sacramento Kings. Sharpshooter Reggie MILLER played on the 1994 USA World Championship team while 1995 NBA Finals MVP Hakeem OLAJUWON of the Houston Rockets and 1994 World Championships MVP Shaquille O'NEAL of the Orlando Magic provide the depth in the middle. The team also features the two of the game's brightest young stars in the Orlando Magic's Anfernee HARDAWAY and the Detroit Piston's Grant HILL.

YUGOSLAVIA

One of only three countries to win a men's basketball gold medal, Yugoslavia returns to the tournament after missing the 1992 Games in Barcelona. In addition to the gold medal won in Moscow in 1980, Yugoslavia also earned silver medals in 1968, 1976 and 1988 along with a bronze medal in 1984. Looking to return to the victory stand in 1996, Yugoslavia won the 1995 European championship a win over Lithuania. Vlade Divac of the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers is a two-time Olympian after winning a silver medal in 1988, while sharpshooter Predrag Danilovich is expected back in the lineup following recent wrist surgery.

Preview of Women's Olympic Basketball

In the 20-year history of women's basketball at the Olympic Games, teams from the United States and former Soviet Union or Unified Team have dominated play, winning all five of the sport's gold medals. The same teams have ruled the game at the World Championships, winning the first 11 titles until Brazil finally snapped the streak in 1994.

Although the two teams matched each other medal for medal on the court, they earned their titles during decade-long streaks of success. Entering the international basketball arena in 1953, the Soviet Union stormed through the competition, winning the first two Olympic titles as part of a 24-year winning streak. After defeating the Soviets in 1982, the United States put together a 42-game winning streak of its own while winning two World Championships, two Goodwill Games championships and two Olympic gold medals. The Unified Team won the 1992 Olympic championship, but at the Centennial Games, the balance of power may be ready to shift again.

In 1996, 12 teams will compete for the gold medal -- four more than in previous Olympic tournaments. The United States and the former Soviet republics of Russia and Ukraine still will contend for top honors, but the perennial powers will need to fend off threats from the defending World Champions from Brazil as well as the 1992 Olympic silver medalists from China. Australia, Canada, Cuba, Italy, Japan, Korea and Zaire round out the Olympic field.

Korea won a silver medal in 1992, while Cuba defeated the Unified Team in the preliminary round in 1992 before losing to the United States in the bronze medal game.

The tournament is a new experience for Zaire as the first team from Africa to earn a trip to the Olympic Games, but the Games are a familiar setting for four-time Olympians ZHENG Haixia of China and Teresa EDWARDS of the United States. EDWARDS earned the distinction as the youngest women's gold basketball medalist as a 20-year-old in 1984, and could become the oldest basketball medalist in 1996 at the age of 32. Edwards also is the only female player to win three Olympic medals in basketball competition.

While Edwards may be women's basketball's winningest Olympian, Ujana SEMJONOVA of the former Soviet Union was certainly the biggest. At 2.11m (6 ft. 11 in.) and 284 lbs., the towering SEMJONOVA helped lead the Soviets to the first two women's gold medals in 1976 and 1980, and still holds the Olympic record for most rebounds in a game with 21.

Although relatively new to the Olympic Programme, the history of the women's tournament is filled with the exploits of some of the game's greatest players. Nancy LIEBERMAN (USA, 1976), Ann MEYER (USA, 1976), Cheryl MILLER (USA, 1984), Lynette WOODARD (USA, 1984) and Horencia MARCARI (BRA, 1992) became global embassadors of the women's game while Yevladia STEFANOVA (BUL, 1988) and Miyako OTSUKA (JPN, 1976) entered the record book as two of the Olympic tournament's top single-game scorers.

Women's Teams

AUSTRALIA

Consistently among the top medal contenders at the Games, Australia finished fifth at the 1984 tournament. Although the team missed the 1992 Games in Barcelona, Australia upheld its reputation as an international medal threat at the 1994 World Championships where the team finished fourth in front of a home-country crowd in Sydney.

Guard Shelley Gorman brings averaged 19 points per game at the world championships and is expected to be joined by 1988 Olympic veteran Roby Maher, who scored 22 points in the bronze medal game against the Soviet Union.

BRAZIL

Although appearing in just its second Olympic Tournament, Brazil quickly caught the eye of pre-tournament prognosticators after capturing the world championship title in 1994. Although still considered a top contender for a medal, Brazil may have to advance through the Olympic tournament without national legend Horentcia MARCARI who announced her retirement from the sport in 1995. Without MARCARI in the lineup, Brazil will look to two-time Olympian Janeth dos SANTOS and guard Paula DASILVA. dos SANTOS scored 85 points at the 1992 Games including 27 points against Cuba. Brazil won 13 of 22 gold medals at the South American Championships including a medal in every championship since 1952.

CANADA

Returning to the Games for the first time since 1984, Canada defeated a highly regarded Cuban team, 80 - 73, to win the American Qualifying Tournament championship. Looking to improve on its fourth-place finish in 1984, Canada enters an athletic team of top rebounders led by two-time Olympians Andrea BLACKWELL and Bev SMITH. SMITH also ranked as the third-highest scorer at the 1984 Games with 85 points. Backcourt standouts Shawna MOLCAK and Susan STEWART helped guide the team to a seventh-place showing at the 1994 World Championships. Making its third Olympic appearance, Canada lost to China in the 1984 bronze medal game, 63 - 57.

PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

Looking to continue its success at the Olympic Games, China will again try for an elusive gold medal after winning a silver medal in Barcelona in 1992 and a bronze medal in Los Angeles in 1984. The world championships runner-up in 1994, China's hopes center around four-time Olympian ZHENG Haixia. One of the tallest women's player in the Games at 6'9", ZHENG averaged 26.4 points and 13.1 rebounds per game in earning most outstanding player honors at the 1994 World Championships. Guards LI Xin, LI Dongmei and WANG Fang were all members of the 1992 silver medal team. Making its fourth straight appearance in the tournament, China lost to the Unified Team, 76-66, in the 1992 championship game.

CUBA

The fourth-place team in Barcelona, Cuba returns an experienced squad seeking to capture the country's first ever women's basketball medal. With up to 10 members of the 1992 team expected on the roster, Cuba features an up-tempo style of play that helped them earn a second-place finish at the Tournament of the Americas and qualify for its third Olympic tournament. Cuba's fourth-place finish in 1992 was its best finish in Olympic competition after making its first appearance in 1980. Forward Leonor Borrell finished among the top 10 scorers at the 1992 Games while Regala HERNANDEZ scored 32 points in a preliminary round game against Brazil. Inside, the Cubans will look to an imposing lineup of towering frontcourt players including Yamile MARTINEZ and Milayda ENRIQUE.

ITALY

Following an eighth-place finish in Barcelona and an 11th-place showing at the 1994 World Championships, Italy finished second at the 1995 European Championships as the Italians continue to improve in international competition. Two-time Olympian Catarina POLLINI ranked among the leading scorers at the world championships with 88 points and earned a spot on the European Championship All-Star team. POLLINI scored 27 points in a championship game loss to Ukraine. Another two-time Olympian, Elena PAPARAZZO provides additional inside rebounding strength. Making its second appearance at the Games, Italy went 0 - 5 in its first visit to the tournament in 1992.

JAPAN

Playing in its first Olympic tournament in 20 years, Japan earned its trip to the as the result of a third-place finish at the Asian championships. Although lacking inside height, Japan has made the most of the 3-point shot, relying on a trio of perimeter sharpshooters in Mikiko HAGIWARA, Aki ICHIJO and Taeko OYAMA. Veteran center Takako KATO ranks among the team's leaders in both scoring and rebounding, while point guard Chikako MURAKAMI leads a patient and turnover-free Japanese offense. In its only previous Olympic appearance, Japan finished fifth in the inaugural six-team women's tournament in 1976.

KOREA
Making its third Olympic appearance, Korea returns to the tournament for the first time since hosting the Games in Seoul in 1988. Korea relies heavily on the 3-point shot with CHUN Joo-Ween and YOUNG Joo Yoo as two of the team's top 3-point threats. CHUN averaged close to 18 points per game and shot 50 percent from the 3-point range in leading Korea to a second-place finish at the Asian Championships while YOUNG led the team in scoring at the 1994 World Championships. On the inside, center CHUNG Eun Soon scored 22 points against the United States as Korea finished 10th at the 1994 World Championships. The home team in 1988, Korea finished seventh in the tournament with a 77 - 59 win over Czechoslovakia in the classification game. Korea captured the silver medal in 1984, losing to the United States 85 - 55 in the championship game.

RUSSIA

As part of the former Soviet Union and as members of the 1992 Unified Team, Russian athletes have collected more gold medals than team members from any other country. The Soviet Union won the sport's first two gold medals in 1976 and 1980, before the Unified Team took top honors in 1992. Now playing under the flag of the Russian Federation, the Russian players could add to their collection of medals. Three-time Olympian point guard Irina Sumnikova won a bronze medal with the Soviet Union in 1988 and a gold medal with the Unified Team in 1992 in addition to earning a spot on the European Championship All-Star team. Yelena BARANOVA also played for the Unified Team in 1992 while former Unified Team while 3-point threat of Irina RUTKOVSKAYA led the team in scoring at the 1994 Goodwill Games with 17.8 points per game.

UKRAINE

A top contender for an Olympic medal, Ukraine beat powerhouse teams Italy and Russia to claim the gold medal at the European Championships. Participating in its first ever Olympic Games, Ukraine features several of the 1992 Unified Team members who won the gold medal in Barcelona. Olympian Marina TKATCHENKO was the fifth-leading scorer at the European Championships with 17.3 points per game and ranked second in steals. Another former Unified Team player, Elena JIRKO is expected to join TKATCHENKO in a quest for a second gold medal. The team's top rebounder, Loudmila NAZARENKO scored 21 points in a win over Russia in the semifinals of the European Championships to help Ukraine to the championship title.

UNITED STATES

After slipping to a third-place finish in Barcelona, the United States enters the 1996 Games as a favorite to recapture the championship it won in 1984 and 1988. Training and playing together for more than a year, the United States introduced the concept of a "national team" in preparation for the Games, and the unifying philosophy could pay off in gold. Four-time Olympian Teresa EDWARDS could become the first player, male or female, to win three basketball gold medals and will be joined by a team of all-stars that includes collegiate players of the year Katrina MCCLAINE (Georgia '87), Dawn STALEY (Virginia '91, '92), Sheryl SWOOPES (Texas Tech '93), Lisa LESLIE (University of Southern California '94) and Rebecca LOBO (University of Connecticut '95). Guards Ruthie BOLTON, Carla McGHEE and Jennifer AZZI also played on the 1994 bronze medal World Championship team while Nikki MCCRAY and Katy STEDING won gold medals at the 1993 World Championship Qualifying tournament.

ZAIRE

The first African team to earn a spot in the Olympic tournament, Zaire earned its trip to the Games by winning the first-ever African continental qualifying tournament. Averaging 80 points per game, Zaire went 5 - 0 in the tournament to qualify for the 12-team Olympic field. Zaire defeated Senegal 68- 48 in the championship game to earn its historic trip to the Games. Zaire last competed in a major international tournament in 1990 when the team placed 15th at the 1990 World Championships.

This is an official publication of The Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Sports Publication Department. Written by Howard Thomas and Dianna Drayson.


Olympic Factoid
An estimated 5.3 million visted Centennial Olympic Park between opening day - 13 July - and closing day - 4 August, making the park the most single most visited Olympic site during the Games.