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Or: 1979, a loaded US basketball international season.
Part 1 of 3.
From April through September 1979 as many as seven teams represented USA in different international competitions. In a time when the pros were not allowed to play international ball, some 70 amateur players, primarily from the college ranks and some high schoolers were fielded in international events around the world.
Governing body of US basketball was at that time the Amateur Basketball Association of USA (ABAUSA), forerunner of today’s USA Basketball.
US teams/events were, in chronological order:
1) US Select team, China tour, April 7-16, Head coach Gene Bartow (Alabama-Birmingham)
2) Fiba Intercontinental Cup for Nations, Europe phase, May 5-18, Head coach Ed Badger (Cincinnati)
3) Pan American Games, San Juan (PUR), July 1-15, Head coach Bob Knight (Indiana)
4) Spartakiade Games, USSR, July 21-Aug 5, Head coach Lee Rose (Purdue)
5) 1st Fiba Junior World Championship, Brazil, Aug 15-25, Head coach Gary Cook (Barrington HS)
6) Fiba Intercontinental Cup for Nations, America phase, Aug 20-Sept 4, Head coach George Blaney (Holy Cross)
7) World University Games, Mexico City (MEX), Sept 2-13, Head coach Ken Anderson (Wisconsin-Eau Claire)
Although USA Basketball keeps the history of just four of these teams (#3, 4, 5, 7) all were selections officially representing US and their overall won/lost records can be found on USA-B archive, under their respective head coaches:
and the involved players:
Such a high level of participating teams can be explained with the endeavors of ABAUSA and US Olympic Committee to build up the team players pool for the 1980 Olympics and at the same time to make sure that as many candidates as possible got accustomed to international play. Sending out teams through so many competitions obviously lowered quality and some problems arose when different teams had to be fielded in overlapping tournaments.
The Pan Am Games and WUG teams were chosen by a selection committee at the end of specific tryouts, while the Junior NT was named after the 2nd National Sports Festival, held in Colorado Springs. The other US squads were pick-up teams, with little or almost no practice time behind.
Here I try to add some more information, based on extensive research, on teams/events not fully covered by USA Basketball history.
In the context of developing tighter and more regular relationships a US college All-Stars team had been sent to China for the first time in 1973 and further exchanges followed.
In 1979 another team was assembled to a 10-day tour of China, sponsored by US State Department. An unusual 13-member selection was quickly picked up at the beginning of the NCAA off-season.
Included were:
Kim Belton (Stanford, YoG 1980), Devin Durrant (BYU, 1982 *), Bill Hanzlik (Notre Dame, 1980), Mike Harper (North Park, DIII, 1980), Steve Johnson (Oregon State, 1981), Greg Leet (Alabama-Birmingham, 1980), Kyle Macy (Kentucky, 1980), Carl Nicks (Indiana State, 1980), Mark Radford (Oregon State, 1981), Ron Ripley (Wisconsin-Green Bay, 1979), Fred Roberts (Brigham Young, 1982), Larry Speicer (Alabama, 1980), Kiki Vandeweghe (UCLA, 1980).
* actual college career: 1978-80, 1982-84.
Beside head coach Bartow (who headed the 1973 US team) came along John Bach, veteran ex coach at Fordham and Penn State and Frank Arnold, coach at Brigham Young, in charge to conduct clinics locally.
Statesman Journal (Salem, Oregon) • Sun, Apr 8, 1979 • Page 59
Three games were played in Beijing and two in Shanghai. While the 1973 team went unbeaten in China the 1979 college All-Stars surprisingly lost the opener against the August First Army team 104-96, led by 7-foot 2 Mu Tieh-Chu, who took control of both ends of the court. Mu said he had gained much experience from American tour the previous year.
The game was played before a crowd of 18,000.
Upset by the outcome, Bach commented:
Statesman Journal (Salem, Oregon) • Tue, Apr 10, 1979 • Page 31
No individual scores were kept, but Bartow praised the play of juniors Nicks and Hanzlik.
The Courier-Journal (Louisville, Kentucky) • Tue, Apr 10, 1979 • Page 7
Two days later the US team evened its record beating the Beijing Municipal Team 103-78, but the next day lost again to the August 1 Army team 72-69.
The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California) • Fri, Apr 13, 1979 • Page 36
US team handily won the last two games in Shanghai against local squads, always played before huge crowds.
Oregon State’s Johnson and Radford expressed their good impression of Chinese progress in an interview but complained the partisan officiating in the two losses, when US bigs went into early foul trouble against the gigantic Mu. They also admitted that Chinese were good shooters especially from long distance.
Corvallis Gazette-Times (Corvallis, Oregon) • Thu, Apr 19, 1979 • Page 15-16
The 8th Pan American Games marked the peak of US basketball season and 70 players were invited at Indiana University for the tryouts.
A committee from the ABAUSA chaired by North Carolina coach Dean Smith was in charge to select the 12-man squad.
The roster of candidates was composed mostly of collegians who would be available for Olympic team consideration the following year.
No one from NCAA champ Michigan State was invited, as it was thought that Magic Johnson would soon sign with the pros, as well as senior Greg Kelser. Same considerations for runner-up Indiana State’s Larry Bird, while teammate Carl Nicks, a junior, was on the list.
Senior Michigan’s Phil Hubbard who had one year play eligibility left having missed his junior season for injury, withdrew from trials consideration as he declared for the NBA draft.
Purdue’s MVP and 1980 1st overall NBA draft choice Joe Barry Carroll decided to not try out as he planned to enroll summer school taking courses in advance to his senior year.
Journal and Courier • Thu, Apr 19, 1979 • Page 33
Also invited were two 1979 HS stars, 7-4 Ralph Sampson of Harrisonbourg HS, VA, and guard Isiah Thomas of St Joseph HS, IL, recruited by Indiana.
Junior superstar Darrell Griffith of Louisville participated in the trials as well, even though few expected he would still be available for the 1980 Olympics.
The trials dates were so close to the Select team return from China that one of the invited players, Steve Johnson arrived to the camp with one day delay and was excluded from the tryouts roster.
Corvallis Gazette-Times • Fri, Apr 20, 1979 • Page 11
From the original invitees list of 70 some players didn’t attend and were replaced, finally making 69 the number of tryouts participants.
No intrasquad trials records are available, as scrimmages were played with no scores and no clocks, however it surfaced that participants play resulted in “rollercoaster” performances, while prepster star Thomas was reportedly “awed” by the talent displayed at the tryouts. Ralph Sampson, the other high schooler, was praised for his shot blocking ability, while UNC Mike O’Koren showed as one of the most consistent players.
The Tennessean • Sat, Apr 21, 1979 • Page 41
The Advocate-Messenger • Fri, Apr 20, 1979 • Page 11,
The South Bend Tribune • Sun, Apr 22, 1979
Indiana head coach Bob Knight had no vote in the final team selection but obviously his influence was important.
declared Smith of the selection procedure.
The Courier-Journal • Fri, Apr 20, 1979 • [First Edition] • Page 47
The 12-man team roster was announced on April 22nd:
Michael Brooks (LaSalle, 1980), Sam Clancy (Pittsburgh, 1981), John Duren (Georgetown, 1980), Mike Gminski (Duke, 1980), Ronnie Lester (Iowa, 1980), Kyle Macy, Kevin McHale (Minnesota, 1980), Mike O’Koren (North Carolina, 1980), Ralph Sampson (Virginia, 1983), Darnell Valentine (Kansas, 1981), Danny Vranes (Utah, 1981), Mike Woodson (Indiana, 1980).
Committee chairman Smith said:
From his side, Knight declared he was very pleased to work with an excellent group of young men.
Philadelphia Daily News • Mon, Apr 23, 1979 • Page 57
The team was expected to start training end of May, participating in a friendly tournament in Italy and play two more exhibition games on June 21 and 23 with ex Indiana and Kentucky players.
Just prior to the Italy tour, guard Valentine dropped off the team due to injury and was replaced by Indiana recruit Thomas (YoG 1983, 1981 Draft). Never had a US NT recorded two high school players in its roster. At the same time, Sampson was unable to join the team for the European trip due to his school obligations and was temporarily replaced by alternate Dick Miller (Toledo, 1980).
Besides US team and host Italian NT training for the incoming Fiba European Championship, a select team of Moscow, Soviet Union, and the Canadian NT completed the field. Tournament was held in Mestre, near Venice, and played on round-robin system over three days, May 31st – June 2nd.
Day1 had Italy easily winning 91-66 over the Moscow pick-up selection while USA trounced Canada 84-57 after a closer 1st half (40-32). Freshly arrived after a lengthy travel, Canadian team experienced fatigue and lack of training.
Canada played better on Day2 narrowly losing to Italy 74-71 (36-30) and USA had no problems with Moscow taking a 40-20 lead in the 1st half and finishing 96-66 (47-27). Clancy (15 points) and Brooks (9) made some spectacular plays, while O’Koren (14), Miller (12) and Woodson (10) also scored in double digits.
Day3 saw the two unbeaten teams clashing. USA and Italy had already scrimmaged some days before and the Americans had prevailed 39-38 after a rough and tough half game. In the championship game the experienced Italian team edged USA 83-81 after overtime (75-75 at the regulation and 36-33 at halftime). Game was reported again as rough and hard fought. Italian team won thanks to a tight defense and a little help from referees during the first half. Early in the 2nd half Bobby Knight got a technical and was then ejected by referee Mr Albanesi for protests. At this point and with the entire US team ready to walk out, Italian head coach Giancarlo Primo approached the referees prompting them to let Knight stay on the bench. After the game Knight said he had deserved the technical but not the ejection and congratulated Primo for the great defensive effort of his team.
Lester and Woodson topped the US team each with 14 points, followed by Brooks with 12. Lorenzo Carraro (18) and Dino Meneghin (17) finished as the leading scorers for Italy.
La Gazzetta dello Sport 1-3 June 1979.
Few days later, All-American Gminski, perhaps the most mature of the team’s big men withdrew due to illness. It was speculated if the loss of Gminski might be consequence of lack of playing time allocated by head coach Knight (he was the third team-center after McHale and Clancy), but the player confirmed that was not the cause. At the same time Sampson rejoined the team.
The Index-Journal • Tue, Jun 12, 1979 • Page 6
On June 19, Ray Tolbert (Indiana, 1981) was announced as a replacement of Gminski.
The US team played two more exhibition games, against Indiana U. “Old Timers” and ex U. of Kentucky stars.
On June 21, Indiana Old Timers beat US team 83-81 (40-36) in Bloomington. Indiana team comprised former alumni and current/former pros like Kent Benson, Scott May, Steve Green, Wayne Radford, Quinn Buckner, Joby Wright and Tom Abernethy. The game was close but in the end the mental toughness of the “Old timers” prevailed, as young Thomas said. Benson added that he didn’t think to hold for 40 minutes due to the lack of conditioning, but he and teammates played with the intensity Knight taught them and the young US team should do the same. He also suggested a more aggressive play from US team bigs Sampson and McHale, who “should start doing some pushing and shoving in there and do it smart”.
For US team Woodson (18) and Duren (10) scored in double digits, followed by Tolbert (9), Vranes (8), Thomas and Lester (7). Benson led Indiana with 18 points, followed by May and Radford (16), Green (11), Buckner (10).
Attendance was 17,000.
The Courier-Journal (Louisville, Kentucky) • Fri, Jun 22, 1979 • Page 8
On June 22, US team beat the ex UK stars 94-73 (50-37) in Lexington, Ky, in front of a crowd of 12,500. The ex Wildcats assembled a squad of as many as 19 players and this brought disorganization to team play. US team showed some progress and Macy shot much better going 8 of 13 for 17 points. He was tied by Woodson (17), while Lester and Vranes connected with 12. Thomas did not play. For the Kentucky side, Larry Steele finished with 12 points, mostly on long shots, and Rick Robey added 11. Other Kentuckyans scoring were Lou Dampier (8), James Lee (7), Truman Claytor (6), Dan Issel and Mike Phillips (4).
The Courier-Journal (Louisville, Kentucky) • Sat, Jun 23, 1979 • Page 7
In July, the young US Pan Am team went undefeated to win gold in Puerto Rico, overcoming the psychological pressure from the turmoil surrounding head coach Knight. See also:
End of part 1.
Part 1 of 3.
From April through September 1979 as many as seven teams represented USA in different international competitions. In a time when the pros were not allowed to play international ball, some 70 amateur players, primarily from the college ranks and some high schoolers were fielded in international events around the world.
Governing body of US basketball was at that time the Amateur Basketball Association of USA (ABAUSA), forerunner of today’s USA Basketball.
US teams/events were, in chronological order:
1) US Select team, China tour, April 7-16, Head coach Gene Bartow (Alabama-Birmingham)
2) Fiba Intercontinental Cup for Nations, Europe phase, May 5-18, Head coach Ed Badger (Cincinnati)
3) Pan American Games, San Juan (PUR), July 1-15, Head coach Bob Knight (Indiana)
4) Spartakiade Games, USSR, July 21-Aug 5, Head coach Lee Rose (Purdue)
5) 1st Fiba Junior World Championship, Brazil, Aug 15-25, Head coach Gary Cook (Barrington HS)
6) Fiba Intercontinental Cup for Nations, America phase, Aug 20-Sept 4, Head coach George Blaney (Holy Cross)
7) World University Games, Mexico City (MEX), Sept 2-13, Head coach Ken Anderson (Wisconsin-Eau Claire)
Although USA Basketball keeps the history of just four of these teams (#3, 4, 5, 7) all were selections officially representing US and their overall won/lost records can be found on USA-B archive, under their respective head coaches:
and the involved players:
Such a high level of participating teams can be explained with the endeavors of ABAUSA and US Olympic Committee to build up the team players pool for the 1980 Olympics and at the same time to make sure that as many candidates as possible got accustomed to international play. Sending out teams through so many competitions obviously lowered quality and some problems arose when different teams had to be fielded in overlapping tournaments.
The Pan Am Games and WUG teams were chosen by a selection committee at the end of specific tryouts, while the Junior NT was named after the 2nd National Sports Festival, held in Colorado Springs. The other US squads were pick-up teams, with little or almost no practice time behind.
Here I try to add some more information, based on extensive research, on teams/events not fully covered by USA Basketball history.
- US Select team (China tour, April 7-16). Won-loss record 3-2.
In the context of developing tighter and more regular relationships a US college All-Stars team had been sent to China for the first time in 1973 and further exchanges followed.
In 1979 another team was assembled to a 10-day tour of China, sponsored by US State Department. An unusual 13-member selection was quickly picked up at the beginning of the NCAA off-season.
Included were:
Kim Belton (Stanford, YoG 1980), Devin Durrant (BYU, 1982 *), Bill Hanzlik (Notre Dame, 1980), Mike Harper (North Park, DIII, 1980), Steve Johnson (Oregon State, 1981), Greg Leet (Alabama-Birmingham, 1980), Kyle Macy (Kentucky, 1980), Carl Nicks (Indiana State, 1980), Mark Radford (Oregon State, 1981), Ron Ripley (Wisconsin-Green Bay, 1979), Fred Roberts (Brigham Young, 1982), Larry Speicer (Alabama, 1980), Kiki Vandeweghe (UCLA, 1980).
* actual college career: 1978-80, 1982-84.
Beside head coach Bartow (who headed the 1973 US team) came along John Bach, veteran ex coach at Fordham and Penn State and Frank Arnold, coach at Brigham Young, in charge to conduct clinics locally.
Statesman Journal (Salem, Oregon) • Sun, Apr 8, 1979 • Page 59
Three games were played in Beijing and two in Shanghai. While the 1973 team went unbeaten in China the 1979 college All-Stars surprisingly lost the opener against the August First Army team 104-96, led by 7-foot 2 Mu Tieh-Chu, who took control of both ends of the court. Mu said he had gained much experience from American tour the previous year.
The game was played before a crowd of 18,000.
Upset by the outcome, Bach commented:
This defeat is an example of typical American arrogance in sport. We think we can throw together a team in 10 days and go out and play a national opponent. We can’t do it and we should realize it. It doesn’t look good to lose and we lose respect.
No individual scores were kept, but Bartow praised the play of juniors Nicks and Hanzlik.
The Courier-Journal (Louisville, Kentucky) • Tue, Apr 10, 1979 • Page 7
Two days later the US team evened its record beating the Beijing Municipal Team 103-78, but the next day lost again to the August 1 Army team 72-69.
The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California) • Fri, Apr 13, 1979 • Page 36
US team handily won the last two games in Shanghai against local squads, always played before huge crowds.
Oregon State’s Johnson and Radford expressed their good impression of Chinese progress in an interview but complained the partisan officiating in the two losses, when US bigs went into early foul trouble against the gigantic Mu. They also admitted that Chinese were good shooters especially from long distance.
Corvallis Gazette-Times (Corvallis, Oregon) • Thu, Apr 19, 1979 • Page 15-16
- US Pan American Team Trials (Bloomington, IN, April 18-22) and preparation games (June)
The 8th Pan American Games marked the peak of US basketball season and 70 players were invited at Indiana University for the tryouts.
A committee from the ABAUSA chaired by North Carolina coach Dean Smith was in charge to select the 12-man squad.
The roster of candidates was composed mostly of collegians who would be available for Olympic team consideration the following year.
No one from NCAA champ Michigan State was invited, as it was thought that Magic Johnson would soon sign with the pros, as well as senior Greg Kelser. Same considerations for runner-up Indiana State’s Larry Bird, while teammate Carl Nicks, a junior, was on the list.
Senior Michigan’s Phil Hubbard who had one year play eligibility left having missed his junior season for injury, withdrew from trials consideration as he declared for the NBA draft.
Purdue’s MVP and 1980 1st overall NBA draft choice Joe Barry Carroll decided to not try out as he planned to enroll summer school taking courses in advance to his senior year.
Journal and Courier • Thu, Apr 19, 1979 • Page 33
Also invited were two 1979 HS stars, 7-4 Ralph Sampson of Harrisonbourg HS, VA, and guard Isiah Thomas of St Joseph HS, IL, recruited by Indiana.
Junior superstar Darrell Griffith of Louisville participated in the trials as well, even though few expected he would still be available for the 1980 Olympics.
The trials dates were so close to the Select team return from China that one of the invited players, Steve Johnson arrived to the camp with one day delay and was excluded from the tryouts roster.
Corvallis Gazette-Times • Fri, Apr 20, 1979 • Page 11
From the original invitees list of 70 some players didn’t attend and were replaced, finally making 69 the number of tryouts participants.
No intrasquad trials records are available, as scrimmages were played with no scores and no clocks, however it surfaced that participants play resulted in “rollercoaster” performances, while prepster star Thomas was reportedly “awed” by the talent displayed at the tryouts. Ralph Sampson, the other high schooler, was praised for his shot blocking ability, while UNC Mike O’Koren showed as one of the most consistent players.
The Tennessean • Sat, Apr 21, 1979 • Page 41
The Advocate-Messenger • Fri, Apr 20, 1979 • Page 11,
The South Bend Tribune • Sun, Apr 22, 1979
Indiana head coach Bob Knight had no vote in the final team selection but obviously his influence was important.
Bobby is going to tell us the kind of team he’s looking for and that’s what we’ll strive for
The Courier-Journal • Fri, Apr 20, 1979 • [First Edition] • Page 47
The 12-man team roster was announced on April 22nd:
Michael Brooks (LaSalle, 1980), Sam Clancy (Pittsburgh, 1981), John Duren (Georgetown, 1980), Mike Gminski (Duke, 1980), Ronnie Lester (Iowa, 1980), Kyle Macy, Kevin McHale (Minnesota, 1980), Mike O’Koren (North Carolina, 1980), Ralph Sampson (Virginia, 1983), Darnell Valentine (Kansas, 1981), Danny Vranes (Utah, 1981), Mike Woodson (Indiana, 1980).
Committee chairman Smith said:
I’ve never seen more talent in one place, or kids that worked any harder.
Philadelphia Daily News • Mon, Apr 23, 1979 • Page 57
The team was expected to start training end of May, participating in a friendly tournament in Italy and play two more exhibition games on June 21 and 23 with ex Indiana and Kentucky players.
Just prior to the Italy tour, guard Valentine dropped off the team due to injury and was replaced by Indiana recruit Thomas (YoG 1983, 1981 Draft). Never had a US NT recorded two high school players in its roster. At the same time, Sampson was unable to join the team for the European trip due to his school obligations and was temporarily replaced by alternate Dick Miller (Toledo, 1980).
Besides US team and host Italian NT training for the incoming Fiba European Championship, a select team of Moscow, Soviet Union, and the Canadian NT completed the field. Tournament was held in Mestre, near Venice, and played on round-robin system over three days, May 31st – June 2nd.
Day1 had Italy easily winning 91-66 over the Moscow pick-up selection while USA trounced Canada 84-57 after a closer 1st half (40-32). Freshly arrived after a lengthy travel, Canadian team experienced fatigue and lack of training.
Canada played better on Day2 narrowly losing to Italy 74-71 (36-30) and USA had no problems with Moscow taking a 40-20 lead in the 1st half and finishing 96-66 (47-27). Clancy (15 points) and Brooks (9) made some spectacular plays, while O’Koren (14), Miller (12) and Woodson (10) also scored in double digits.
Day3 saw the two unbeaten teams clashing. USA and Italy had already scrimmaged some days before and the Americans had prevailed 39-38 after a rough and tough half game. In the championship game the experienced Italian team edged USA 83-81 after overtime (75-75 at the regulation and 36-33 at halftime). Game was reported again as rough and hard fought. Italian team won thanks to a tight defense and a little help from referees during the first half. Early in the 2nd half Bobby Knight got a technical and was then ejected by referee Mr Albanesi for protests. At this point and with the entire US team ready to walk out, Italian head coach Giancarlo Primo approached the referees prompting them to let Knight stay on the bench. After the game Knight said he had deserved the technical but not the ejection and congratulated Primo for the great defensive effort of his team.
Lester and Woodson topped the US team each with 14 points, followed by Brooks with 12. Lorenzo Carraro (18) and Dino Meneghin (17) finished as the leading scorers for Italy.
La Gazzetta dello Sport 1-3 June 1979.
Few days later, All-American Gminski, perhaps the most mature of the team’s big men withdrew due to illness. It was speculated if the loss of Gminski might be consequence of lack of playing time allocated by head coach Knight (he was the third team-center after McHale and Clancy), but the player confirmed that was not the cause. At the same time Sampson rejoined the team.
The Index-Journal • Tue, Jun 12, 1979 • Page 6
On June 19, Ray Tolbert (Indiana, 1981) was announced as a replacement of Gminski.
The US team played two more exhibition games, against Indiana U. “Old Timers” and ex U. of Kentucky stars.
On June 21, Indiana Old Timers beat US team 83-81 (40-36) in Bloomington. Indiana team comprised former alumni and current/former pros like Kent Benson, Scott May, Steve Green, Wayne Radford, Quinn Buckner, Joby Wright and Tom Abernethy. The game was close but in the end the mental toughness of the “Old timers” prevailed, as young Thomas said. Benson added that he didn’t think to hold for 40 minutes due to the lack of conditioning, but he and teammates played with the intensity Knight taught them and the young US team should do the same. He also suggested a more aggressive play from US team bigs Sampson and McHale, who “should start doing some pushing and shoving in there and do it smart”.
For US team Woodson (18) and Duren (10) scored in double digits, followed by Tolbert (9), Vranes (8), Thomas and Lester (7). Benson led Indiana with 18 points, followed by May and Radford (16), Green (11), Buckner (10).
Attendance was 17,000.
The Courier-Journal (Louisville, Kentucky) • Fri, Jun 22, 1979 • Page 8
On June 22, US team beat the ex UK stars 94-73 (50-37) in Lexington, Ky, in front of a crowd of 12,500. The ex Wildcats assembled a squad of as many as 19 players and this brought disorganization to team play. US team showed some progress and Macy shot much better going 8 of 13 for 17 points. He was tied by Woodson (17), while Lester and Vranes connected with 12. Thomas did not play. For the Kentucky side, Larry Steele finished with 12 points, mostly on long shots, and Rick Robey added 11. Other Kentuckyans scoring were Lou Dampier (8), James Lee (7), Truman Claytor (6), Dan Issel and Mike Phillips (4).
The Courier-Journal (Louisville, Kentucky) • Sat, Jun 23, 1979 • Page 7
In July, the young US Pan Am team went undefeated to win gold in Puerto Rico, overcoming the psychological pressure from the turmoil surrounding head coach Knight. See also:
End of part 1.
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