Basketball contests at the 1968 Summer Olympics was the seventh appearance of the sport of basketball as an official Olympic medal event. It took place at the Palacio de los Deportes in Mexico City, Mexico from October 13 to October 25, 1968. The United States defeated Yugoslavia to win their seventh consecutive gold medal in this sport, while the Soviet Union earned the bronze against Brazil.
The Americans' record of seven basketball gold medals in a row was matched by their women's team in 2021 when they won the 2020 Olympics, and then broken in 2024.
Automatic qualifications were granted to the host country and the first five places at the previous tournament. Additional spots were decided by various continental tournaments held by FIBA plus two additional tournaments that granted two extra berths each.
For the team rosters see: Basketball at the 1968 Summer Olympics â Men's team rosters.
The top two teams from each group advance to the semifinals, while the remaining teams compete for 5th through 16th places in separate brackets. Both group leaders, the United States and the Soviet Union advanced undefeated to the knockout stage.
October 13
October 14
October 15
October 16
October 18
October 19
October 20
October 13
October 14
October 15
October 16
October 18
October 19
October 20
The much anticipated final between the United States and the Soviet Union would have to wait four years. Yugoslavia stunned the Soviets 63âÂÂ62 in the semifinals. In the championship game the Americans had a slim 32-29 lead at intermission but put the game out of reach with a 22-3 streak to start the second half.
5thâÂÂ8th Place
9thâÂÂ12th Place
13thâÂÂ16th Place