Because the '86 World Championship was scheduled to be held at the same time as the 1986 Goodwill Games, the inaugural men's Goodwill Games basketball title was based on results from the Worlds.
Records reflect results from preliminary rounds only.
Teams did not qualify for finals. Relying on relative unknowns from the college ranks, head coach Lute Olson and his 12-man team were widely considered a dark horse to win the gold. But the USA, behind the play of future stars like David Robinson, Charles Smith, Kenny Smith and Tyrone Bogues, captured dual crowns, the first Goodwill Games gold as well as the World Championship title. The U.S. emerged from pool play in Malaga, Spain, 5-0 but not before escaping a scare from Puerto Rico. Opening the semifinal round, Argentina upset the U.S. 74-70 despite 17 points from Charles Smith.