1972 Us Men's Olympic Basketball Team Roster
The 1972 US Men's Olympic Basketball Team Roster featured some of the greatest basketball players of all time. This team was assembled to compete in the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, Germany, and was the last amateur US Olympic basketball team. The team was coached by Hank Iba and led by star players like Doug Collins and Tom Henderson.
History of the 1972 US Men's Olympic Basketball Team
The 1972 US Men's Olympic Basketball Team was the last amateur US team to compete in Olympic basketball. This was due to the fact that professional players were not yet allowed to participate in the Olympics. The team was made up of college players who were selected by the National Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) and the United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA). The team was coached by Hank Iba, who was known for his strict coaching style and emphasis on defense.
The team was expected to dominate the competition, as the US had won the gold medal in every Olympic basketball tournament since 1936. However, the 1972 Olympics would prove to be a challenge for the US team.
The Roster
The roster of the 1972 US Men's Olympic Basketball Team included 12 players. They were:
- Tom Burleson, NC State
- Tom Henderson, Hawaii
- Dwight Jones, Houston
- Mike Bantom, St. Joseph's
- Jim Brewer, Minnesota
- Jim Forbes, Texas A&M
- Kevin Joyce, South Carolina
- Tom McMillen, Maryland
- Bobby Jones, North Carolina
- Jim Forbes, Texas A&M
- Mark Spitz, Indiana
- Doug Collins, Illinois State
This roster was considered to be one of the strongest in Olympic history, with many of these players going on to have successful professional careers.
The Controversial Gold Medal Game
The 1972 Olympics were marked by controversy in the final basketball game between the US and the Soviet Union. The game was a back-and-forth affair, with the US leading for most of the game. However, in the final seconds, the Soviet Union scored a basket to take a one-point lead.
The US team was given the ball with three seconds left on the clock, but controversy erupted when officials allowed the Soviet Union to inbound the ball twice due to confusion over a technical foul. The Soviet Union intercepted the US pass on the second inbound and won the game, stunning the US team and sparking controversy over the officiating.
Legacy of the 1972 US Men's Olympic Basketball Team
The 1972 US Men's Olympic Basketball Team remains one of the most memorable in Olympic history. Despite the controversy of the gold medal game, the team's legacy has endured. Many of the players went on to have successful professional careers and were inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
The team also sparked a renewed interest in Olympic basketball, which paved the way for the inclusion of professional players in future Olympic competitions.
Conclusion
The 1972 US Men's Olympic Basketball Team was a powerhouse of talent and skill. Although they fell short of winning the gold medal, their legacy has endured and they remain one of the most memorable teams in Olympic history. Their story is a reminder of the love, passion, and dedication that goes into being an Olympic athlete, and the enduring legacy that can come from participating in one of the world's greatest sporting events.