# Basketball at the 1972 Summer Olympics

Basketball contests at the 1972 Summer Olympics was the eighth appearance of the sport of basketball as an official Olympic medal event. It took place at Rudi-Sedlmayer-Halle in Munich, Germany from August 27 to September 9. The Soviet Union controversially won the gold medal game against the United States. This was the first time that the USA did not win a gold medal since the sport's introduction into the Olympics at the 1936 Berlin Summer Games. The bronze was won by Cuba, the only Olympic medal they have won in basketball. Another controversy was suspension of Mickey Coll after a positive drug test.

## Medal summary

| Games | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
| Men's basketball | Soviet Union Anatoli Polivoda Modestas Paulauskas Zurab Sakandelidze Alzhan Zharmukhamedov Aleksandr Boloshev Ivan Edeshko Sergei Belov Mikheil Korkia Ivan Dvorny Gennadi Volnov Aleksandr Belov Sergei Kovalenko | United States Kenneth Davis Doug Collins Tom Henderson Mike Bantom Robert Jones Dwight Jones James Forbes Jim Brewer Tommy Burleson Tom McMillen Kevin Joyce Ed Ratleff | Cuba Juan Carlos Domecq Fortuondo Ruperto Herrera Tabio Juan Roca Brunet Pedro Chappe Garcia Miguel Álvarez Pozo Rafael Cañizares Poey Conrado Perez Armenteros Miguel Calderon Gomez Tomas Herrera Martinez Oscar Varona Varona Alejandro Urgelles Guibot Franklin Standard Johnson |

## Qualification

Automatic qualifications were granted to the host country and the first four places at the previous tournament. Additional spots were decided by various continental tournaments held by FIBA plus an additional pre-Olympic tournament that granted two extra berths.
| Means of qualification | Date | Venue | Berths | Qualified |
| Host nation | | | 1 | West Germany |
| 1968 Olympic Tournament | 13–25 October 1968 | Mexico City | 4 | United States |
| 1968 Olympic Tournament | 13–25 October 1968 | Mexico City | 4 | Yugoslavia |
| 1968 Olympic Tournament | 13–25 October 1968 | Mexico City | 4 | Soviet Union |
| 1968 Olympic Tournament | 13–25 October 1968 | Mexico City | 4 | Brazil |
| FIBA Africa Championship 1970 | 9 –15 March 1970 | Alexandria | 2 | Egypt |
| FIBA Africa Championship 1970 | 9 –15 March 1970 | Alexandria | 2 | Senegal |
| 1971 Pan American Games | 31 July–12 August 1971 | Cali | 2 | Puerto Rico |
| 1971 Pan American Games | 31 July–12 August 1971 | Cali | 2 | Cuba |
| 1971 FIBA Oceania Championship | 7–13 August 1971 | New Zealand | 1 | Australia |
| 1971 ABC Championship | 30 October – 10 November 1971 | Tokyo | 2 | Japan |
| 1971 ABC Championship | 30 October – 10 November 1971 | Tokyo | 2 | Philippines |
| European Pre-Olympic Tournament | Various | Various | 2 | Italy |
| European Pre-Olympic Tournament | Various | Various | 2 | Czechoslovakia |
| Pan-Continental Pre-Olympic Tournament | 10–19 August 1972 | Augsburg | 2 | Poland |
| Pan-Continental Pre-Olympic Tournament | 10–19 August 1972 | Augsburg | 2 | Spain |
| Total | | | 16 | |
* $^a$ Egypt withdrew from the tournament following the events of the Munich massacre.

## Format

* Two groups of eight teams are formed, where the top two from each group compete for the medals in a knockout round.
* The remaining places are defined as follows:
** Fifth through eighth places are decided in a separate bracket between the third and fourth places from each group in a separate bracket.
** Ninth through sixteenth places are decided between the fifth through eighth places from each group in separate brackets.
Tie-breaking criteria:
* Head to head results
* Goal average (not the goal difference) between the tied teams

## Squads

For the team rosters see: Basketball at the 1972 Summer Olympics – Men's team rosters.

## Preliminary round

The top two teams from each group advance to the semifinals, while the remaining teams compete for 5th through 16th places in separate brackets.

### Group A

| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts | Qualification |
| 1 | United States | 7 | 7 | 0 | 542 | 312 | +230 | 14 | Semifinals |
| 2 | Cuba | 7 | 6 | 1 | 560 | 445 | +115 | 13 | Semifinals |
| 3 | Brazil | 7 | 4 | 3 | 561 | 490 | +71 | 11 | 5th–8th classification round |
| 4 | Czechoslovakia | 7 | 4 | 3 | 493 | 489 | +4 | 11 | 5th–8th classification round |
| 5 | Spain | 7 | 3 | 4 | 486 | 500 | −14 | 10 | 9th–12th classification round |
| 6 | Australia | 7 | 3 | 4 | 523 | 524 | −1 | 10 | 9th–12th classification round |
| 7 | Japan | 7 | 1 | 6 | 442 | 643 | −201 | 8 | 13th–16th classification round |
| 8 | Egypt | 7 | 0 | 7 | 440 | 644 | −204 | 7 | 13th–16th classification round |
* 1 2 Head-to-head record: Brazil 1–0 Czechoslovakia
* 1 2 Head-to-head record: Spain 1–0 Australia
* August 27 10:30
| Cuba | 105–64 | Egypt |
* Rudi-Sedlmayer-Halle, Munich
* August 27 12:00
| United States | 66–35 | Czechoslovakia |
* Rudi-Sedlmayer-Halle, Munich
* August 27 14:30
| Japan | 55–110 | Brazil |
* Rudi-Sedlmayer-Halle, Munich
* August 27 20:00
| Spain | 79–74 | Australia |
* Rudi-Sedlmayer-Halle, Munich
* August 28 9:00
| Brazil | 110–84 | Egypt |
* Rudi-Sedlmayer-Halle, Munich
* August 28 14:30
| United States | 81–55 | Australia |
* Rudi-Sedlmayer-Halle, Munich
* August 28 16:00
| Cuba | 74–53 | Spain |
* Rudi-Sedlmayer-Halle, Munich
* August 28 20:00
| Japan | 61–74 | Czechoslovakia |
* Rudi-Sedlmayer-Halle, Munich
* August 29 9:00
| Brazil | 72–69 | Spain |
* Rudi-Sedlmayer-Halle, Munich
* August 29 14:30
| Japan | 78–73 | Egypt |
* Rudi-Sedlmayer-Halle, Munich
* August 29 20:00
| Czechoslovakia | 69–68 | Australia |
* Rudi-Sedlmayer-Halle, Munich
* August 29 21:30
| United States | 67–48 | Cuba |
* Rudi-Sedlmayer-Halle, Munich
* August 30 10:30
| Egypt | 58–72 | Spain |
* Rudi-Sedlmayer-Halle, Munich
* August 30 14:30
| Japan | 76–92 | Australia |
* Rudi-Sedlmayer-Halle, Munich
* August 30 16:00
| Czechoslovakia | 65–77 | Cuba |
* Rudi-Sedlmayer-Halle, Munich
* August 30 21:30
| Brazil | 54–61 | United States |
* Rudi-Sedlmayer-Halle, Munich
* September 1 21:30
| Japan | 76–87 | Spain |
* Rudi-Sedlmayer-Halle, Munich
* September 1 21:30
| Australia | 70–84 | Cuba |
* Rudi-Sedlmayer-Halle, Munich
* September 1 21:30
| Egypt | 31–96 | United States |
* Rudi-Sedlmayer-Halle, Munich
* September 1 21:30
| Czechoslovakia | 82–83 | Brazil |
* Rudi-Sedlmayer-Halle, Munich
* September 2 9:00
| Australia | 75–69 | Brazil |
* Rudi-Sedlmayer-Halle, Munich
* September 2 12:00
| Egypt | 64–94 | Czechoslovakia |
* Rudi-Sedlmayer-Halle, Munich
* September 2 14:30
| Japan | 63–108 | Cuba |
* Rudi-Sedlmayer-Halle, Munich
* September 2 18:30
| Spain | 56–72 | United States |
* Rudi-Sedlmayer-Halle, Munich
* September 3 9:00
| Japan | 33–99 | United States |
* Rudi-Sedlmayer-Halle, Munich
* September 3 10:30
| Spain | 70–74 | Czechoslovakia |
* Rudi-Sedlmayer-Halle, Munich
* September 3 18:30
| Australia | 89–66 | Egypt |
* Rudi-Sedlmayer-Halle, Munich
* September 3 21:30
| Cuba | 64–63 | Brazil |
* Rudi-Sedlmayer-Halle, Munich

### Group B

| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts | Qualification |
| 1 | Soviet Union | 7 | 7 | 0 | 639 | 479 | +160 | 14 | Semifinals |
| 2 | Italy | 7 | 5 | 2 | 547 | 471 | +76 | 12 | Semifinals |
| 3 | Yugoslavia | 7 | 5 | 2 | 582 | 484 | +98 | 12 | 5th–8th classification round |
| 4 | Puerto Rico | 7 | 5 | 2 | 570 | 531 | +39 | 12 | 5th–8th classification round |
| 5 | West Germany (H) | 7 | 3 | 4 | 482 | 518 | −36 | 10 | 9th–12th classification round |
| 6 | Poland | 7 | 2 | 5 | 520 | 536 | −16 | 9 | 9th–12th classification round |
| 7 | Philippines | 7 | 1 | 6 | 526 | 666 | −140 | 8 | 13th–16th classification round |
| 8 | Senegal | 7 | 0 | 7 | 405 | 586 | −181 | 7 | 13th–16th classification round |
* 1 2 3 Head-to-head record: Italy 1–1 (1.072 GAvg), Yugoslavia 1–1 (1.013), Puerto Rico 1–1 (0.917)
* August 27 9:00
| Poland | 90–75 | Philippines |
* Rudi-Sedlmayer-Halle, Munich
* August 27 16:00
| Yugoslavia | 85–78 | Italy |
* Rudi-Sedlmayer-Halle, Munich
* August 27 18:30
| Senegal | 52–94 | Soviet Union |
* Rudi-Sedlmayer-Halle, Munich
* August 27 21:30
| West Germany | 74–81 | Puerto Rico |
* Rudi-Sedlmayer-Halle, Munich
* August 28 12:00
| West Germany | 63–87 | Soviet Union |
* Rudi-Sedlmayer-Halle, Munich
* August 28 16:30
| Senegal | 56–92 | Italy |
* Rudi-Sedlmayer-Halle, Munich
* August 28 18:30
| Puerto Rico | 92–72 | Philippines |
* Rudi-Sedlmayer-Halle, Munich
* August 28 21:30
| Poland | 64–85 | Yugoslavia |
* Rudi-Sedlmayer-Halle, Munich
* August 29 10:30
| Senegal | 59–95 | Poland |
* Rudi-Sedlmayer-Halle, Munich
* August 29 12:00
| Soviet Union | 79–66 | Italy |
* Rudi-Sedlmayer-Halle, Munich
* August 29 16:00
| Puerto Rico | 79–74 | Yugoslavia |
* Rudi-Sedlmayer-Halle, Munich
* August 29 18:30
| West Germany | 93–74 | Philippines |
* Rudi-Sedlmayer-Halle, Munich
* August 30 9:00
| Soviet Union | 94–64 | Poland |
* Rudi-Sedlmayer-Halle, Munich
* August 30 12:00
| West Germany | 57–68 | Italy |
* Rudi-Sedlmayer-Halle, Munich
* August 30 18:30
| Philippines | 76–117 | Yugoslavia |
* Rudi-Sedlmayer-Halle, Munich
* August 30 20:00
| Puerto Rico | 92–57 | Senegal |
* Rudi-Sedlmayer-Halle, Munich
* September 1 9:00
| Senegal | 62–68 | Philippines |
* Rudi-Sedlmayer-Halle, Munich
* September 1 12:00
| West Germany | 56–81 | Yugoslavia |
* Rudi-Sedlmayer-Halle, Munich
* September 1 20:00
| Italy | 71–59 | Poland |
* Rudi-Sedlmayer-Halle, Munich
* September 1 21:30
| Soviet Union | 100–87 | Puerto Rico |
* Rudi-Sedlmayer-Halle, Munich
* September 2 12:00
| SFR Yugoslavia | 73–57 | Senegal |
* Rudi-Sedlmayer-Halle, Munich
* September 2 14:30
| West Germany | 67–65 | Poland |
* Rudi-Sedlmayer-Halle, Munich
* September 2 16:00
| Philippines | 80–111 | Soviet Union |
* Rudi-Sedlmayer-Halle, Munich
* September 2 20:00
| Italy | 71–54 | Puerto Rico |
* Rudi-Sedlmayer-Halle, Munich
* September 3 12:00
| Italy | 101–81 | Philippines |
* Rudi-Sedlmayer-Halle, Munich
* September 3 14:30
| Poland | 83–85 | Puerto Rico |
* Rudi-Sedlmayer-Halle, Munich
* September 3 16:00
| SFR Yugoslavia | 67–74 | Soviet Union |
* Rudi-Sedlmayer-Halle, Munich
* September 3 20:00
| West Germany | 72–62 | Senegal |
* Rudi-Sedlmayer-Halle, Munich

## Knockout stage
### Medal bracket

| Semifinals (September 7) | Semifinals (September 7) | Semifinals (September 7) | Gold medal (September 9) | Gold medal (September 9) | Gold medal (September 9) |
| A1 | United States | 68 | | | |
| B2 | Italy | 38 | | | |
| B2 | Italy | 38 | A1 | United States | 50 |
| | | | B1 | Soviet Union | 51 |
| B1 | Soviet Union | 67 | B1 | Soviet Union | 51 |
| A2 | Cuba | 61 | Bronze medal (September 8) | Bronze medal (September 8) | Bronze medal (September 8) |
| | | | B2 | Italy | 65 |
| | | | A2 | Cuba | 66 |

### Classification brackets

5th–8th place
| Semifinals (September 7) | Semifinals (September 7) | Semifinals (September 7) | 5th place (September 9) | 5th place (September 9) | 5th place (September 9) |
| A3 | Brazil | 83 | | | |
| B4 | Puerto Rico | 87 | | | |
| B4 | Puerto Rico | 87 | B4 | Puerto Rico | 70 |
| | | | B3 | Yugoslavia | 86 |
| B3 | Yugoslavia | 66 | B3 | Yugoslavia | 86 |
| A4 | Czechoslovakia | 63 | 7th place (September 8) | 7th place (September 8) | 7th place (September 8) |
| | | | A3 | Brazil | 87 |
| | | | A4 | Czechoslovakia | 69 |
9th–12th place
| Semifinals (September 5) | Semifinals (September 5) | Semifinals (September 5) | 9th place (September 9) | 9th place (September 9) | 9th place (September 9) |
| A5 | Spain | 76 | | | |
| B6 | Poland | 87 | | | |
| B6 | Poland | 87 | B6 | Poland | 83 |
| | | | A6 | Australia | 91 |
| B5 | West Germany | 69 | A6 | Australia | 91 |
| A6 | Australia | 70 | 11th place (September 8) | 11th place (September 8) | 11th place (September 8) |
| | | | A5 | Spain | 84 |
| | | | B5 | West Germany | 83 |
13th–16th place
| Semifinals (September 5) | Semifinals (September 5) | Semifinals (September 5) | 13th place (September 7) | 13th place (September 7) | 13th place (September 7) |
| A7 | Japan | 70 | | | |
| B8 | Senegal | 67 | | | |
| B8 | Senegal | 67 | A7 | Japan | 73 |
| | | | B7 | Philippines | 82 |
| B7 | Philippines | 2 | B7 | Philippines | 82 |
| A8 | Egypt | 0 | 15th place | 15th place | 15th place |
| | | | B8 | Egypt | 0 |
| | | | A8 | Senegal | 2 |
* $^a$ Forfeited match.

## Final

* September 9 23:30
| Soviet Union | 51–50 | United States |
| Scoring by half: 26–21, 25–29 |||
| Pts: Sergey Belov 20 Rebs: Alexander Belov 8 | | Pts: Tom Henderson, Jim Brewer 9 each Rebs: Mike Bantom 9 |
* Rudi-Sedlmayer-Halle, Munich Referees: Renato Righetto (Brazil), Artenik Arabadjian (Bulgaria)

## Awards

* 1972 Olympic Basketball Champions
* Soviet Union First title

## Final standings

| Rank | Team | Pld | W | L |
| | Soviet Union | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| | United States | 9 | 8 | 1 |
| | Cuba | 9 | 7 | 2 |
| 4th | Italy | 9 | 5 | 4 |
| 5th | Yugoslavia | 9 | 7 | 2 |
| 6th | Puerto Rico | 9 | 6 | 3 |
| 7th | Brazil | 9 | 5 | 4 |
| 8th | Czechoslovakia | 9 | 4 | 5 |
| 9th | Australia | 9 | 5 | 4 |
| 10th | Poland | 9 | 3 | 6 |
| 11th | Spain | 9 | 4 | 5 |
| 12th | West Germany | 9 | 3 | 6 |
| 13th | Philippines | 9 | 3 | 6 |
| 14th | Japan | 9 | 2 | 7 |
| 15th | Senegal | 9 | 1 | 8 |
| 16th | Egypt | 9 | 0 | 9 |