1968 Olympic basketball

The United States shrugged off a supposed "underdog" tag to take the title at the 1968 Olympics for their seventh straight gold medal amid a wave of protest at and surrounding the Games and a cultural revolution at the time.As the world gathered in Mexico City
Many thought the action on the basketball court would be dramatic as well with Soviet Union and Yugoslavia both expected to give a challenge to the United States, who won gold in the first six Olympics. In addition to great players featuring for both the Soviets and Yugoslavians, the Americans saw some of the best eligible players boycott the Games including Lew Alcindor, who later changed his name to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and was protesting the treatment of African Americans in the United States
USA Olympic Team:
Spencer Haywood, 6’8, Fr, NJCAA
Ken Spain, 6’9, Jr, NCAA
Don Dee, 6’7, Sr, NAIA
Bill Hosket, 6’7, Sr, NCAA
Jim King, 6’7, AAU
Mike Silliman, 6’6, Armed Forces
Charles Scott, 6’5, Soph, NCAA
Jo Jo White, 6’3, Jr, NCAA
John Clawson, 6’4, Armed Forces
Glynn Saulters, 6’2, Sr, NAIA
Mike Barrett, 6’2, Armed Forces
Calvin Fowler, 6’1, AAU
The United States disproved their critics, easing past Spain (by 35 points), Senegal (by 57) and the Philippines (by 21) before not letting Yugoslavia challenge with a 73-58 win.The Americans blasted Panama by 35 points and Italy by 39 points before Puerto Rico tested the United States with a 61-56 decision for a 7-0 record. In the Semi-Finals versus Brazil, United States jumped ahead 20-8 and led 42-26 at halftime before finishing with a 75-63 victory.
The much-anticipated USA-Soviet Union Final did not materialize though as Yugoslavia shocked the Soviets 63-62 in the other Semi-Final - one of the biggest upsets in Olympic history. The Soviet Union bounced back in the bronze medal game as they defeated Brazil 70-53 to at least not leave empty-handed.
In the Final, the Yugoslavs stayed with the Americans for a while and were down just 32-29 at halftime. But the United States started the second half with a 22-3 run to put the game away with a 65-50 victory. Spencer Haywood finished off an outstanding Olympics with 21 points while his main running mate JoJo White added 14 points. Haywood led the Americans with 16.1 points per game while White averaged 11.7 points.
Both the Yugoslavia and Soviet Union teams were packed with all-time greats in world basketball. Yugoslavs Kresimir Cosic, Radivoj Korac and Ivo Daneu all went on to have FIBA Hall of Fame careers while future FIBA Hall of Famers Sergei Belov and Modestas Paulauskas led the Soviet team.

[@DC-ul3gn]

Thanks for sharing. I remember watching some of the game at my grandmother's house. Flashbacks of Spencer Haywood dance in my head while watching Nice.

[@sovurss]

Wonderful video. This is the first time I have seen a video about the 1968 Basketball Olympic final.

[@memorialdobasquete]

Hi. Thank you so much for sharing these historic moments. Do you know where we can get to full length game?

[@sportvideofootage]

Unlikely anybody taped 1968 basketball games from home.But that colorized HD quality at the end of this clip came from Olympic archives they digitized that footage for their documentary.I think best chance is to contact official olympic archives but from what i have heard it can be expensive.Their official site advertise that they have thousands hours of olympic footage

[@master-kq3nw]

usa was good young team big respect to yugoslavia team lot of good players

[@iCOLLECTgoats]

Who wore number 9 during the 68?

[@master-kq3nw]

you mean in united states number 9 that was charlie scott

[@iCOLLECTgoats]

@@master-kq3nw thank you.!

[@master-kq3nw]

@@iCOLLECTgoats 👍