Puerto Rico national basketball team
Encyclopedia
The Puerto Rico men's national basketball team represents Puerto Rico
in international basketball competitions such as the Olympics
, the World Championship
, and the Americas Championship
. The team, selected by the Puerto Rican Basketball Federation
, historically comprised only players from the National Superior Basketball league, but in the 1990s began to include Puerto Rican players playing abroad professionally.
joined FIBA in 1957. Puerto Rico has participated in nine Olympics
and 11
World Championships
, although they have never won a medal at either competition.
´s first appearance at a World Championship was in 1959
in Chile , where, led by Juan "Pachín" Vicéns, who averaged 22 points per game, the team finished 5th with a record of 3–6. In 1963
, at Puerto Rico's second World Championship appearance which took place in Brazil
, the team, led by Rafael Valle
and Juan "Pachín" Vicéns, opened the tournament winning two straight games. Yet, after losing other six games back to back, ended its participation with a win over Italy
, obtaining the 6th place.
Coming back from its 13th place debut at the 1960 Olympics
in Rome, in 1964
in Tokyo, the team was able to reach 4th place, in good part because of the contributions of point guard Juan "Pachín" Vicéns. This was, and still is as of 2008, the highest place it has ever reached since the team's birth at any Olympic Games. Three years later in Uruguay
, at the 1967 World Championship
, the team, led this time by Raymond Dalmau
, was only able to finish 12th, ending the decade with a 9th place at the 1968 Olympics
in Mexico City.
Before the 1970s, regardless of the not-so-good performance at world international tournaments, Puerto Rico started to emerge as a power player at regional tournaments, medaling in all the competitions it participated (the Pan American Games
, the CentroBasket tournament
and the Central American and Caribbean Games
). The medal count included two golds at the 1962 and the 1966 Central American and Caribbean Games, failing to medal only at the 1967 Pan American Games
, where it finished 5th.
at the 1976 Olympics
in Montreal
, where a win by Puerto Rico would have been the first undisputed basketball loss for the United States team at an Olympic competition. Also, the 1974 World Championship
and the 1979 Pan American Games
were held in San Juan
, promoting local enthusiasm for international basketball and Puerto Rico's presence in it. The 7th and 10th places at the 1974
and 1978
World Championships, where the team, led by Hector Blondet
and Rubén Rodríguez respectively, saw 2–5 and 4–3 finishes, became turning points for the Puerto Rican team. The 4–3 showing in 1978 in the Philippines
was the first time ever the team finished with a positive record at a World Championship. These achievements were accompanied by golds at the 1973 CentroBasket and the 1978 Central American and Caribbean Games. In all, Puerto Rico continued its regional success and was able to medal in all regional competitions.
s in 1980
and 1989
, and at the 1985, 1987 and 1989 CentroBasket tournaments. The silver medal at the 1988 Americas Championship
held in Montevideo, Uruguay, secured the team's first Olympic participation since 1976. Having qualified and earned the right to participate, the Puerto Rican team chose not to do so at the 1980 Olympic Games
, held in Moscow, due to the American boycott of that competition (being an autonomous nation sportswise, the team could have participated, but decided to respect the boycott instead). It wouldn't participate either at the 1984 Olympic Games
, held in Los Angeles, because the team failed to qualify for it. Eight years after its last showing, Puerto Rico was able to advance to the second round and finished 7th at the 1988 Olympic Games
, held in Seoul
. Two years earlier, at the 1986 World Championship
in Spain, Puerto Rico's performance granted it the 10th place, having failed to qualify for the 1982 Championship
in Colombia.
, Ramón Rivas
, Jerome Mincy
, Fico López, and Edgar León. the decade began with a 4th place finish at the 1990 World Championship
in Argentina. This is Puerto Rico's best showing at a World Championship so far, defeating teams such as Yugoslavia
, Argentina
and the USA
, but losing to the USSR
and then, losing by two points the rematch in overtime to the USA
. In 1991, led by Raymond Gause
, besides earning gold at the CentroBasket tournament, the team also won, for the first time in basketball, the gold medal at the Pan American Games
, which were held in Cuba
. The team also qualified for the 1992 Olympics
in Barcelona, where it reached the second round, unluckily having to face, in its first game of the elimination round, a United States National team
composed of NBA players (the Dream Team), finishing at the end in 8th place. In 1993, Puerto Rico signed its Caribbean supremacy at this sport by winning gold at both the CentroBasket and the Central American and Caribbean Games. This victory at CentroBasket was the last of a 5 gold medal streak at the tournament. In 1994, the team finished in a 6th place at the World Championship
in Canada, but won the gold at the 1994 Goodwill Games in St. Petersburg, Russia, defeating teams such as Croatia
, Russia
, Brazil
and Italy
. It was then when Puerto Rico began to be classified as one of the top 10 international teams. Having won gold in 1995 at the FIBA Americas Pre-Olympic Championship
, in 1996 at the Olympics Games
, the team placed 10th in Atlanta, while in 1998, it placed 11th at the World Championship
in Greece.
in Sidney, Australia with its 4th place at the 1999 Tournament of the Americas hosted in San Juan, Puerto Rico
, in 2001 the team was able to recover its CentroBasket
title, with a triumph in Mexico
. Later that year, the team repeated its 4th place at the 2001 FIBA Americas tournament in Argentina. In 2002, the team had a strong showing at the World Championship
held in Indianapolis, USA
. In a tournament full of well-known professionals, including NBA superstars, the team beat the top 3 European
teams at the time; eventual champion Yugoslavia
, Turkey
and Spain
. Puerto Rico, with a 5–1 record entering the quarterfinals, lost its chance to get into the medals round only by a dramatic 2-points loss to New Zealand
, eventually placing 7th. It is worth mentioning that Carlos Arroyo
debuted at this tournament. In 2003, the team also won gold at the CentroBasket tournament
, held in Mexico
, but was only able to achieve the bronze medal at the Tournament of the Americas and the Pan American Games
. Reaching its 16th final at the CentroBasket tournament, Puerto Rico conquered the silver medal at the 2004 CentroBasket tournament
, losing to the host Dominican Republic
, 75–74, in the championship game. On August 15, 2004, at the 2004 Summer Olympics
in Athens, the Puerto Rico National Basketball Team became the second team in history to defeat the United States Olympic basketball team
, recording only the third loss in an Olympic competition for the U.S. team, and the first since NBA
players were allowed to compete. The 92–73 outcome of that game is, as of 2008, the most lopsided victory against the U.S. (collegiate or professional players) in the history of Olympic/World Championship basketball. The other team to defeat the U.S. had been the Soviet Union
at the 1972 gold medal game (which outcome is still disputed) and the 1988 semifinals
.
in Beijing, where it lost all five games and ended up finishing in 6th place. Still, having failed to qualify directly to the 2006 World Championship
by achieving a 7th place at the 2005 FIBA Americas Championship in Santo Domingo
, due to its great tradition, on November 2005, Puerto Rico received an invitation to participate in the World tournament as a Wildcard, along with Italy
, Serbia and Montenegro and Turkey
. In route to the World Championship, Puerto Rico won bronze at the 2006 CentroBasket
, losing the automatic classification to the 2008 tournament
, but recover in time to earn gold at the 2006 Central American and Caribbean Games
. Later, at the group play stage of the World Championship
, which was contested in Japan, Puerto Rico started with victories over Senegal
and the People's Republic of China
, but lost ties against the United States
, Italy
and Slovenia
. The application of a second tiebreaker
by points differential to Slovenia, China and Puerto Rico, each with a winning percentage
of .400, placed Puerto Rico fifth in Group D, preventing the team from advancing to the knockout round for the first time since 1986; Puerto Rico ultimately placed 17th out of twenty-four, being this its shyest performance after a long time. The following year began with Puerto Rico earning its fifth silver medal at the 2007 Pan American Games
, followed by the team's first participation in a CaribeBasket
. tournament, debuting against Trinidad & Tobago
. Although the team didn't had the participation of Daniel Santiago
or Rick Apodaca
, Puerto Rico won the tournament undefeated, which meant its classification to the 2008 CentroBasket
tournament. Later this year, Puerto Rico started to host an exhibition tournament called the Marchand Continental Championship Cup
in order to prepare for the 2007 FIBA Americas Championship. After playing against Brazil
, Canada and Argentina
, Puerto Rico lost all three games, ending up in 4th place. The year ended with a bronze at the FIBA Americas Championship. On January 31, 2008, a draw took place for the FIBA Preolympic tournament
, which placed Puerto Rico in the same group as Croatia
and Cameroon
, where its winner would have to face the second place of Group C. Following this event, the president of the National Superior Basketball League confirmed that the team would play exhibition games at the 2008 Bamberg Super Cup in Germany against Greece
, Slovenia
and the host
, beginning on July 4, 2008. Then, a second set of exhibition games would follow, scheduled to start on July 8, 2008, in Slovenia
: the 2008 Alpos International Cup, where the team would face New Zealand
, Iran
and the host
. After these preparatory tournaments the team would train until the Preolympic tournament's beginning. The team began practicing on May 19, 2008, and included several players that were under consideration for inclusion by Cintrón
. On June 4, 2008, Daniel Santiago
confirmed that he would abandon his international retirement and play with Puerto Rico in the Preolympic tournament. The player announced that he would join the team in July, following an exhibition game. Javier Mojica, Alejandro Carmona
and Joel Jones
were included in as potential members in the preliminary team. On July 1, 2008, hours before the team was scheluded to travel to Europe, Ángelo Reyes
was excluded after not establishing communication with the directives. Reyes
was replaced with Alex Falcón. Subsecuently, Reyes
asked for a dispense to attend personal matters, noting that he intended to join the team in a week, however the player was not included due to time constraints. In the first game at the Bamberg Super Cup, Puerto Rico defeated Germany
with a team composed mostly of reserve players, as Carlos Arroyo
, Daniel Santiago
, Larry Ayuso and Carmelo Lee were attending other compromises. Puerto Rico continued playing with these players, finishing 2nd, after losing the final game to Greece
, who entered the cup with their entire lineup. Santiago
and Ayuso joined the practices on July 5, 2008, when Puerto Rico traveled to Slovenia
, where the Alpos International Cup was being held. The first match in the tournament was a victory against New Zealand
, followed by another victory in the semifinals over Iran
. At the end, Puerto Rico finished 2nd, losing to Slovencia
in the finals. The Preolympic tournament
began on July 14, 2008, but Puerto Rico's debut came the following day, when the team defeated Camerron
and advanced to the second round, due to a loss that the African team had suffered during the first day of competition. On its second game, the team lost to Croatia
, but in the quarterfinals, defeated Slovenia
. The team didn't qualify to the Olympics, after losing to Greece
in the semifinals and to Germany
in the tournament's bronze medal game.
competition. After having failed to classify directly to it, Puerto Rico's spot was secured after its first and only participation in the 2007 CaribeBasket tournament, where Puerto Rico won all round one games by over 25 points and went on to win gold. The 2008 Centrobasket was scheduled to take place before the Olympic Qualifying Tournament, but due to time constraints it was postponed. A group of prospects was included in the roster to replace Peter John Ramos
and Ricky Sanchez
, who were injured. Among those included was Ángel Daniel Vassallo, who played as a small forward in Virginia Tech
. In the first game of the tournament, Puerto Rico defeated Costa Rica. In the other two games of the first round, the team defeated Cuba
and Panama. During the course of the event, Carlos Arroyo
and Larry Ayuso were forced to rest a game due to injuries. In the semifinals, the team scored a win over the Dominican Republic
. Puerto Rico won the gold medal by defeating the United States Virgin Islands
in the finals. The team has secured a spot for the 2010 FIBA World Championship
by finishing in 1 of the top 4 spots in the 2009 FIBA Americas Championship
. At the end, Puerto Rico finished the tournament with the silver medal, having lost the game against Argentina
in the group stage, and losing the final against Brazil
. Pending the performance at the 2010 FIBA World Championship, this cycle has had Puerto Rico with a record of 19–2 (Caribebasket 6–0, Centrobasket 5–0, FIBA Americas 8–2), not counting the 2nd place finish at the 2009 Marchand Continental Championship Cup
, where Puerto Rico won the exhibition games against Argentina
and Canada, but lost the final to Brazil
.
At the 2010 CentroBasket, Puerto Rico won Group B with Cuba finishing second. The team defeated Panama in semifinals and the Dominican Republic in the final to win the gold medal. Arroyo and Barea were included in the tournament's All-Star Team.
In 2010, the Puerto Rican Basketball Federation
relieved Manolo Cintron
of his coaching duties, and on June 8, 2011, the Federation officially announced the new head coach of the national team, Flor Melendez
, which will be Melendez's second stint with the team as head coach.
On August 27, 2011, a chartered airplane carrying the team as well as the Canadian, Dominican and Brazilian national basketball teams from Foz de Iguacu, Brazil, to Mar del Plata, Argentina, made an emergency landing at Ezeiza International Airport, Buenos Aires, Argentina, after experiencing severe weather conditions mid-flight. The plane left for Mar del Plata an hour and a half after it landed.
FIBA World Championship
Joining FIBA in 1957, Puerto Rico has only been absent from two world championships since its debut in 1959 (1970 and 1982). It failed to qualify for the 2006 Championship, but received one of the four invitations to play. The best performance was at the 1990 Championships, reaching semifinals, but failing to win a medal.
Since joining FIBA in 1957, Puerto Rico has participated in nine Olympic tournaments, coming in fourth in 1964 and achieving history in 2004 when it became the first team in Olympic history to defeat a United States' team composed of NBA players. Up to this day, Puerto Rico's win over Team USA represents their biggest margin of loss (19 points) in international competition ever. Since its debut in Olympic basketball in 1960, it has only been absent from 4 Olympic tournaments (1980 because of the boycott, 1984, 2000 and 2008).
FIBA Americas Championship
Puerto Rico has participated in all of the FIBA Americas Championships and has gone all the way to the semifinals in all but the 1984 and 2005 tournaments. It has a total of 9 medals.
Since its inception in 2000, joining together the champions from each of the FIBA
Federations, Puerto Rico is yet to participate at the FIBA Diamond Ball
Championship, as the USA
and Brazil
teams have won all the Pre-Olympics tournaments.
Since joining FIBA in 1957, Puerto Rico has participated in the basketball competition for all editions of the Pan American Games since 1959, obtaining medals in all but the 1967, 1983 and 1995 games. It has a total of 11 medals.
CentroBasket Championship
Puerto Rico has a great record at the CentroBasket Championships, having participated in all of them but 1967, and obtaining a medal in all.
Since its basketball debut in the 1935 Games, Puerto Rico has only failed to medal in the 1938, 1946, 1950, and 1998 Games. The team has a total of 15 medals.
CaribeBasket Championship
Since the founding of the CaribeBasket tournament in 1981 as a CentroBasket qualification stage for Caribbean countries, Puerto Rico has only participated in the 2007 tournament, after failing to classify directly to CentroBasket 2008. In this tournament, it won all round one games by over 25 points and went on to win gold.
Because the 1986 FIBA 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 World's. For the 2001 games, although scheduled to compete with seven other teams, Puerto Rico was not able to make it to the tournament, being replaced by Mexico, which finished 7th.
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
in international basketball competitions such as the Olympics
Basketball at the Summer Olympics
Basketball has been a Summer Olympics sport for men consistently since 1936. Prior to its inclusion as a medal sport, it was held as demonstration event in 1904 and 1932, both in the United States. Women's basketball was played in the Olympics only since 1976....
, the World Championship
FIBA World Championship
The FIBA World Championship is an international basketball competition contested by the men's national teams of the members of the International Basketball Federation , the sport's global governing body...
, and the Americas Championship
FIBA Americas Championship
The FIBA Americas Championship is the name commonly used to refer to the American Basketball Championship that take place every two years between national teams of the continents...
. The team, selected by the Puerto Rican Basketball Federation
Puerto Rican Basketball Federation
The Puerto Rican Basketball Federation is the governing body of basketball in Puerto Rico. It selects the Puerto Rican national basketball team, which is the 10th ranked men's team in the world.-External links:*...
, historically comprised only players from the National Superior Basketball league, but in the 1990s began to include Puerto Rican players playing abroad professionally.
History
The Puerto Rican Basketball FederationPuerto Rican Basketball Federation
The Puerto Rican Basketball Federation is the governing body of basketball in Puerto Rico. It selects the Puerto Rican national basketball team, which is the 10th ranked men's team in the world.-External links:*...
joined FIBA in 1957. Puerto Rico has participated in nine Olympics
Basketball at the Summer Olympics
Basketball has been a Summer Olympics sport for men consistently since 1936. Prior to its inclusion as a medal sport, it was held as demonstration event in 1904 and 1932, both in the United States. Women's basketball was played in the Olympics only since 1976....
and 11
National team appearances in the FIBA World Championship
A total of 51 countries have made at least one appearance in the FIBA World Championship in basketball.African, European and teams from the Americas composed the first World Championship - Asian and Oceanian teams did not want to make a long trip to Argentina, the venue of the tournament...
World Championships
FIBA World Championship
The FIBA World Championship is an international basketball competition contested by the men's national teams of the members of the International Basketball Federation , the sport's global governing body...
, although they have never won a medal at either competition.
Early years
Puerto RicoPuerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
´s first appearance at a World Championship was in 1959
1959 FIBA World Championship
The 1959 FIBA World Championship was an international basketball competition hosted by Chile from January 16 to 31 , 1959. Amaury Antônio Pasos was named the MVP....
in Chile , where, led by Juan "Pachín" Vicéns, who averaged 22 points per game, the team finished 5th with a record of 3–6. In 1963
1963 FIBA World Championship
The 1963 FIBA World Championship was an international basketball competition hosted by Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from May 11 to 23 , 1963.- Competing nations :- Preliminary round :-Group A:-Group B:-Group C:-Classification round:...
, at Puerto Rico's second World Championship appearance which took place in Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, the team, led by Rafael Valle
Rafael Valle
Rafael Valle González was a Puerto Rican professional basketball player. In the 1950s and 1960s, he played with the "Cangrejeros de Santurce" and the "Santos de San Juan" teams in the National Basketball League in Puerto Rico.During that time, he was also a member of the Puerto Rican national...
and Juan "Pachín" Vicéns, opened the tournament winning two straight games. Yet, after losing other six games back to back, ended its participation with a win over Italy
Italy national basketball team
The Italian national basketball team is the national basketball team representing Italy. It is administrated by the Federazione Italiana Pallacanestro ....
, obtaining the 6th place.
Coming back from its 13th place debut at the 1960 Olympics
Basketball at the 1960 Summer Olympics
Basketball at the 1960 Summer Olympics was the fifth appearance of the sport in Olympic competition. 16 nations were admitted into the Olympic tournament, with many others being eliminated in a pre-Olympic tournament held earlier in the year from 13 to 20 August 1960 at the Sports Palace at Bologna...
in Rome, in 1964
Basketball at the 1964 Summer Olympics
Basketball contests at the 1964 Summer Olympics took place at the Yoyogi National Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan from October 11 to October 23. The United States defeated the Soviet Union to win their sixth straight gold medal at this event, while Brazil earned the bronze against Puerto...
in Tokyo, the team was able to reach 4th place, in good part because of the contributions of point guard Juan "Pachín" Vicéns. This was, and still is as of 2008, the highest place it has ever reached since the team's birth at any Olympic Games. Three years later in Uruguay
Uruguay
Uruguay ,officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay,sometimes the Eastern Republic of Uruguay; ) is a country in the southeastern part of South America. It is home to some 3.5 million people, of whom 1.8 million live in the capital Montevideo and its metropolitan area...
, at the 1967 World Championship
1967 FIBA World Championship
The 1967 FIBA World Championship was an international basketball competition hosted by Montevideo, Uruguay from May 27 to June 11, 1967.-Venues:- Competing nations :- Preliminary round :-Group A:-Group B:-Group C:-Classification round:...
, the team, led this time by Raymond Dalmau
Raymond Dalmau
Raymond Dalmau Pérez is a retired Puerto Rican professional basketball player. During most of his career, Dalmau played in the National Superior Basketball league. His sons Richie, Christian and Ricardo also played basketball on the highest level of Puerto Rican basketball.-Career:Dalmau...
, was only able to finish 12th, ending the decade with a 9th place at the 1968 Olympics
Basketball at the 1968 Summer Olympics
-Group B:October 13October 14October 15October 16October 18October 19October 20-Medal bracket:-Classification brackets:5th–8th Place9th–12th Place...
in Mexico City.
Before the 1970s, regardless of the not-so-good performance at world international tournaments, Puerto Rico started to emerge as a power player at regional tournaments, medaling in all the competitions it participated (the Pan American Games
Pan American Games
The Pan-American or Pan American Games are a major event in the Americas featuring summer and formerly winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Pan American Games are the second largest multi-sport event after the Summer Olympics...
, the CentroBasket tournament
Centrobasket
Centrobasket is a FIBA sponsored basketball tournament where national teams from Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean participate. These countries make up the Central American and Caribbean Confederation . The top three or four teams typically earn berths to the FIBA Americas Championship,...
and the Central American and Caribbean Games
Central American and Caribbean Games
The Central American and Caribbean Games are a multi-sport regional championships event, held quadrennial , typically in the middle year between Summer Olympics...
). The medal count included two golds at the 1962 and the 1966 Central American and Caribbean Games, failing to medal only at the 1967 Pan American Games
Basketball at the 1967 Pan American Games
The Men's Basketball Tournament at the 1967 Pan American Games was held from July 24 to August 2, 1967 in Winnipeg, Canada.-Participating nations:-Final ranking:-References:**...
, where it finished 5th.
1970s
The 1970s brought some memorable moments for the team, particularly a dramatic one-point loss to the United StatesUnited States national basketball team
The United States men's national basketball team represents the United States of America in international men's basketball. The USA is the most successful team in international competition, winning medals in all sixteen Olympic tournaments it has entered, coming away with thirteen golds...
at the 1976 Olympics
Basketball at the 1976 Summer Olympics
Basketball contests at the 1976 Summer Olympics took place from July 18 to July 27 at the Centre Étienne Desmarteau and the Montreal Forum in Montreal, Canada. Women's basketball was introduced to the Olympic program for the first time at this Games...
in Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
, where a win by Puerto Rico would have been the first undisputed basketball loss for the United States team at an Olympic competition. Also, the 1974 World Championship
1974 FIBA World Championship
The 1974 FIBA World Championship was an international basketball competition hosted by Puerto Rico from July 3 to 14, 1974.-Venues:- Competing nations :- Preliminary round :-Group A:-Group B:-Group C:-Classification round:-Final round:...
and the 1979 Pan American Games
1979 Pan American Games
The 8th Pan American Games were held in San Juan, Puerto Rico, from July 1 to July 15, 1979. The capital of Puerto Rico played host to 3,700 athletes from 34 countries competing in 22 sports, making the VIII Pan American Games the largest to date. Security was a concern due to turmoil over the...
were held in San Juan
San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan , officially Municipio de la Ciudad Capital San Juan Bautista , is the capital and most populous municipality in Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 395,326 making it the 46th-largest city under the jurisdiction of...
, promoting local enthusiasm for international basketball and Puerto Rico's presence in it. The 7th and 10th places at the 1974
1974 FIBA World Championship
The 1974 FIBA World Championship was an international basketball competition hosted by Puerto Rico from July 3 to 14, 1974.-Venues:- Competing nations :- Preliminary round :-Group A:-Group B:-Group C:-Classification round:-Final round:...
and 1978
1978 FIBA World Championship
The 1978 FIBA World Championship was an international basketball competition hosted by Philippines from October 1 to 14, 1978.Rizal Memorial Coliseum at Manila and Araneta Coliseum at Quezon City, Metro Manila were the venues for the event.-Venues:...
World Championships, where the team, led by Hector Blondet
Hector Blondet
Hector Blondet-Texidor was a Puerto Rican professional basketball player, who in the 1970s played with the "Cardenales de Rio Piedras" and the "Capitanes de Arecibo" teams in the National Basketball League in Puerto Rico.During that time, he was also the shooting guard of the Puerto Rican national...
and Rubén Rodríguez respectively, saw 2–5 and 4–3 finishes, became turning points for the Puerto Rican team. The 4–3 showing in 1978 in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
was the first time ever the team finished with a positive record at a World Championship. These achievements were accompanied by golds at the 1973 CentroBasket and the 1978 Central American and Caribbean Games. In all, Puerto Rico continued its regional success and was able to medal in all regional competitions.
1980s
The 1980s were very good for the team, attaining gold at two of the first four FIBA Americas ChampionshipFIBA Americas Championship
The FIBA Americas Championship is the name commonly used to refer to the American Basketball Championship that take place every two years between national teams of the continents...
s in 1980
1980 Tournament of the Americas
The 1980 Tournament of the Americas, known now as the FIBA Americas Championship, was a basketball championship hosted by Puerto Rico from April 18 to April 25, 1980. The games were played in San Juan. This FIBA Americas Championship was to earn the berths allocated to the Americas for the 1980...
and 1989
1989 Tournament of the Americas
The 1989 Tournament of the Americas, known now as the FIBA Americas Championship, was a basketball championship hosted by Mexico from June 8 to June 18, 1989. The games were played in Mexico City. This FIBA Americas Championship was to earn the five berths allocated to the Americas for the 1990...
, and at the 1985, 1987 and 1989 CentroBasket tournaments. The silver medal at the 1988 Americas Championship
1988 Tournament of the Americas
The 1988 Tournament of the Americas, known now as the FIBA Americas Championship, was a basketball championship hosted by Uruguay from May 22 to May 31, 1988. The games were played in Montevideo. This FIBA Americas Championship was to earn the three berths allocated to the Americas for the 1988...
held in Montevideo, Uruguay, secured the team's first Olympic participation since 1976. Having qualified and earned the right to participate, the Puerto Rican team chose not to do so at the 1980 Olympic Games
Basketball at the 1980 Summer Olympics
Basketball at the 1980 Summer Olympics was held from July 20 to July 30 at the Olympiiski Indoor Stadium and at the CSKA Sports Palace, both located in Moscow. Finals of both men's and women's events were held 30 July at the Olympiiski Indoor Stadium....
, held in Moscow, due to the American boycott of that competition (being an autonomous nation sportswise, the team could have participated, but decided to respect the boycott instead). It wouldn't participate either at the 1984 Olympic Games
Basketball at the 1984 Summer Olympics
-Group B:-Championship bracket:-Classification brackets:5th–8th Place9th–12th Place-Preliminary Round:...
, held in Los Angeles, because the team failed to qualify for it. Eight years after its last showing, Puerto Rico was able to advance to the second round and finished 7th at the 1988 Olympic Games
Basketball at the 1988 Summer Olympics
Basketball at the 1988 Summer Olympics took place at the Jamsil Gymnasium in Seoul, South Korea. The United States won the gold medal in the women's competition, thus repeating their performance from the 1984 tournament. In the men's tournament, the Soviet Union took home their second gold medal in...
, held in Seoul
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
. Two years earlier, at the 1986 World Championship
1986 FIBA World Championship
The 1986 FIBA World Championship was an international basketball competition hosted by Spain from July 5 to 19 1986.The Final phase of the tournament was held at the Palacio de Deportes de la Comunidad, Madrid...
in Spain, Puerto Rico's performance granted it the 10th place, having failed to qualify for the 1982 Championship
1982 FIBA World Championship
The 1982 FIBA World Championship was an international basketball competition hosted by Colombia from August 15 to 28 , 1982.-Venues:- Competing nations :- Preliminary round :-Group A:-Group B:-Group C:-Classification round:-Final round:...
in Colombia.
1990s
During the 1990s, the team's successes continued as usual. Led by José OrtizJosé Ortiz
José Rafael Ortiz , better known as Piculín or Picu, is a retired Puerto Rican professional basketball player...
, Ramón Rivas
Ramon Rivas
Juan Ramón Rivas Contreras is a Puerto Rican professional basketball player. He is now the Spanish radio broadcaster for Orlando Magic. Rivas was the second player from Puerto Rico to play in the NBA, and half of the first duo of Puerto Ricans to be active in the NBA simultaneously...
, Jerome Mincy
Jerome Mincy
Jerome Alfred Mincy Clark is a Puerto Rican professional basketball player of American parents. Mincy has played in the NCAA with the UAB Blazers and the National Superior Basketball League of Puerto Rico with Bayamón Cowboys...
, Fico López, and Edgar León. the decade began with a 4th place finish at the 1990 World Championship
1990 FIBA World Championship
The 1990 FIBA World Championship was an international basketball competition hosted by Argentina from August 8 to August 20, 1990.The competition final phase was held at the Luna Park, Buenos Aires.Yugoslavia emerged as the tournament winner...
in Argentina. This is Puerto Rico's best showing at a World Championship so far, defeating teams such as Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia national basketball team
The Yugoslavian national basketball team represented the Kingdom and socialist Yugoslavia. Its of governing body was the Basketball Federation of Yugoslavia, whose seat was in Belgrade....
, Argentina
Argentina national basketball team
The Argentina national basketball team represents Argentina in basketball international competitions, and is controlled by the Argentine Basketball Federation....
and the USA
United States national basketball team
The United States men's national basketball team represents the United States of America in international men's basketball. The USA is the most successful team in international competition, winning medals in all sixteen Olympic tournaments it has entered, coming away with thirteen golds...
, but losing to the USSR
Soviet Union national basketball team
The Soviet national basketball team was the basketball side that represented the Soviet Union in international competitions. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, the successor countries all set up their own national teams...
and then, losing by two points the rematch in overtime to the USA
United States national basketball team
The United States men's national basketball team represents the United States of America in international men's basketball. The USA is the most successful team in international competition, winning medals in all sixteen Olympic tournaments it has entered, coming away with thirteen golds...
. In 1991, led by Raymond Gause
Raymond Gause
Raymond Gause is a Puerto Rican former basketball player. He was born in Memphis, Tennessee and played his college basketball with the UAB Blazers under Gene Bartow. At Alabama-Birmingham he played with Jerome Mincy and Orlando "Pipo" Marrero. In 1984 he moved to Puerto Rico and established...
, besides earning gold at the CentroBasket tournament, the team also won, for the first time in basketball, the gold medal at the Pan American Games
Basketball at the 1991 Pan American Games
The Men's Basketball Tournament at the 1991 Pan American Games was held from August 3 to August 17, 1991 in Havana, Cuba. The women also competed in the Cuban capital, from August 3 to August 12.-Participating nations:-Preliminary round:...
, which were held in Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
. The team also qualified for the 1992 Olympics
Basketball at the 1992 Summer Olympics
The Basketball games of the 1992 Summer Olympics were played at the Pavelló Olímpic de Badalona. 12 men's teams and 8 women's teams participated in the tournament....
in Barcelona, where it reached the second round, unluckily having to face, in its first game of the elimination round, a United States National team
United States national basketball team
The United States men's national basketball team represents the United States of America in international men's basketball. The USA is the most successful team in international competition, winning medals in all sixteen Olympic tournaments it has entered, coming away with thirteen golds...
composed of NBA players (the Dream Team), finishing at the end in 8th place. In 1993, Puerto Rico signed its Caribbean supremacy at this sport by winning gold at both the CentroBasket and the Central American and Caribbean Games. This victory at CentroBasket was the last of a 5 gold medal streak at the tournament. In 1994, the team finished in a 6th place at the World Championship
1994 FIBA World Championship
The 1994 FIBA World Championship was an international basketball competition hosted by Canada from August 4 to August 14, 1994. The tournament was held at SkyDome and Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto as well as at Copps Coliseum in Hamilton...
in Canada, but won the gold at the 1994 Goodwill Games in St. Petersburg, Russia, defeating teams such as Croatia
Croatia national basketball team
The Croatian national basketball team represents Croatia at international tournaments. It is organized by the Croatian Basketball Federation...
, Russia
Russia national basketball team
The Russian national basketball team represents Russia in international basketball matches. The team came into existence after the dissolution of the Soviet Union and its powerful basketball team. It has won 2 silver medals in the FIBA World Championships...
, Brazil
Brazil national basketball team
The Brazilian National Basketball Team represents Brazil in FIBA's basketball competitions.-Men's team:First drafted in 1922, the men's team has won two World Championships , three bronze Olympic medals , four Americas Championships and five Pan American Games .-Olympic Games:-FIBA...
and Italy
Italy national basketball team
The Italian national basketball team is the national basketball team representing Italy. It is administrated by the Federazione Italiana Pallacanestro ....
. It was then when Puerto Rico began to be classified as one of the top 10 international teams. Having won gold in 1995 at the FIBA Americas Pre-Olympic Championship
1995 Tournament of the Americas
The 1995 Tournament of the Americas, known now as the FIBA Americas Championship, was a basketball championship hosted by Argentina from August 15 to August 27, 1995. The games were played in Tucuman and Neuquen. This FIBA Americas Championship was to earn the three berths allocated to the...
, in 1996 at the Olympics Games
Basketball at the 1996 Summer Olympics
Basketball contests at the 1996 Olympic Games were held from July 20, 1996 to August 4, 1996. Games took place at the Morehouse College Gymnasium and the Georgia Dome. For the second straight Olympic games, the American men's team composed almost entirely of NBA players won the gold medal...
, the team placed 10th in Atlanta, while in 1998, it placed 11th at the World Championship
1998 FIBA World Championship
The 1998 FIBA World Championship was the 13th FIBA World Championship, an international basketball tournament held by the International Basketball Federation and hosted in Athens, Greece from July 29 to August 9, 1998...
in Greece.
2000–2004
This Olympic cycle did not go well for the team at the International level, although it did have great moments and it performed well at the local level. Having failed to qualify for the 2000 OlympicsBasketball at the 2000 Summer Olympics
-Group B:-Championship bracket:-Classification matches:-Preliminary round:The four best teams from each group advanced to the quarterfinal round.-Group A:-Group B:-Championship bracket:...
in Sidney, Australia with its 4th place at the 1999 Tournament of the Americas hosted in San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan , officially Municipio de la Ciudad Capital San Juan Bautista , is the capital and most populous municipality in Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 395,326 making it the 46th-largest city under the jurisdiction of...
, in 2001 the team was able to recover its CentroBasket
2001 Centrobasket
This page shows the results of the 2001 Men's Central American and Caribbean Basketball Championship, also known as the 2001 Centrobasket, which was held in the city of Toluca, Mexico from July 11 to July 15, 2001...
title, with a triumph in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
. Later that year, the team repeated its 4th place at the 2001 FIBA Americas tournament in Argentina. In 2002, the team had a strong showing at the World Championship
2002 FIBA World Championship
The 2002 FIBA World Championship was an international basketball tournament held by the International Basketball Federation in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA from August 29 to September 8, 2002.-Venues:-Squads:...
held in Indianapolis, USA
Indianapolis
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
. In a tournament full of well-known professionals, including NBA superstars, the team beat the top 3 European
FIBA Europe
FIBA Europe is a zone within the International Basketball Federation which includes all 49 national European basketball federations.-Division A:-Division B: -Division C:...
teams at the time; eventual champion Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia national basketball team
The Yugoslavian national basketball team represented the Kingdom and socialist Yugoslavia. Its of governing body was the Basketball Federation of Yugoslavia, whose seat was in Belgrade....
, Turkey
Turkey national basketball team
The Turkish national basketball team is the basketball section that represents Turkey in international competitions. The team is nicknamed "12 Dev Adam" ....
and Spain
Spain national basketball team
The Spanish national basketball team is the basketball team representing Spain in international competitions, organized and run by the Spanish Basketball Federation...
. Puerto Rico, with a 5–1 record entering the quarterfinals, lost its chance to get into the medals round only by a dramatic 2-points loss to New Zealand
New Zealand national basketball team
The New Zealand national basketball team represents New Zealand in international basketball competitions. It is nicknamed the Tall Blacks, derived from the name of New Zealand's Rugby union team, the All Blacks.-History:...
, eventually placing 7th. It is worth mentioning that Carlos Arroyo
Carlos Arroyo
Carlos Alberto Arroyo Bermúdez is a Puerto Rican professional basketball point guard who last played for the Boston Celtics. Arroyo is the fifth player from Puerto Rico to play in the NBA...
debuted at this tournament. In 2003, the team also won gold at the CentroBasket tournament
2003 Centrobasket
This page shows the results of the Men's Central American and Caribbean Basketball Championship, also known as the 2003 Centrobasket, which was held in the city of Culiacán, Mexico from June 17 to June 22, 2003.-Competing nations:-Preliminary round:...
, held in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, but was only able to achieve the bronze medal at the Tournament of the Americas and the Pan American Games
Basketball at the 2003 Pan American Games
This page shows the results of the basketball tournament at the 2003 Pan American Games, held in the Palacio de los Deportes Virgilio Travieso Soto in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic from August 2 to August 8, 2003.-Men's Tournament:-Group A:...
. Reaching its 16th final at the CentroBasket tournament, Puerto Rico conquered the silver medal at the 2004 CentroBasket tournament
2004 Centrobasket
This page shows the results of the 2004 Men's Central American and Caribbean Basketball Championship, also known as the 2004 Centrobasket, which was held in the city of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic from July 7 to July 11, 2004.-Competing nations:...
, losing to the host Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
, 75–74, in the championship game. On August 15, 2004, at the 2004 Summer Olympics
Basketball at the 2004 Summer Olympics
Basketball at the 2004 Summer Olympics took place at the Helliniko Olympic Indoor Arena in Athens, Greece for the preliminary rounds, with the latter stages being held in the Olympic Indoor Hall at the Athens Olympic Sports Complex....
in Athens, the Puerto Rico National Basketball Team became the second team in history to defeat the United States Olympic basketball team
United States national basketball team
The United States men's national basketball team represents the United States of America in international men's basketball. The USA is the most successful team in international competition, winning medals in all sixteen Olympic tournaments it has entered, coming away with thirteen golds...
, recording only the third loss in an Olympic competition for the U.S. team, and the first since NBA
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
players were allowed to compete. The 92–73 outcome of that game is, as of 2008, the most lopsided victory against the U.S. (collegiate or professional players) in the history of Olympic/World Championship basketball. The other team to defeat the U.S. had been the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
at the 1972 gold medal game (which outcome is still disputed) and the 1988 semifinals
Basketball at the 1988 Summer Olympics
Basketball at the 1988 Summer Olympics took place at the Jamsil Gymnasium in Seoul, South Korea. The United States won the gold medal in the women's competition, thus repeating their performance from the 1984 tournament. In the men's tournament, the Soviet Union took home their second gold medal in...
.
2005–2008
On 2005, Puerto Rico was invited to play at the 2005 Stanković Continental Champions' Cup2005 Stankovic Continental Champions' Cup
The 2005 Stanković Continental Champions' Cup of the annual Stanković Cup Tournament was held in Beijing from July 26 to July 31.-Participating teams:...
in Beijing, where it lost all five games and ended up finishing in 6th place. Still, having failed to qualify directly to the 2006 World Championship
2006 FIBA World Championship
The 2006 FIBA World Championship was an international basketball competition hosted by Japan from August 19 to September 3, 2006. It was co-organised by the International Basketball Federation , Japan Basketball Association and the 2006 Organizing Committee...
by achieving a 7th place at the 2005 FIBA Americas Championship in Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo, known officially as Santo Domingo de Guzmán, is the capital and largest city in the Dominican Republic. Its metropolitan population was 2,084,852 in 2003, and estimated at 3,294,385 in 2010. The city is located on the Caribbean Sea, at the mouth of the Ozama River...
, due to its great tradition, on November 2005, Puerto Rico received an invitation to participate in the World tournament as a Wildcard, along with Italy
Italy national basketball team
The Italian national basketball team is the national basketball team representing Italy. It is administrated by the Federazione Italiana Pallacanestro ....
, Serbia and Montenegro and Turkey
Turkey national basketball team
The Turkish national basketball team is the basketball section that represents Turkey in international competitions. The team is nicknamed "12 Dev Adam" ....
. In route to the World Championship, Puerto Rico won bronze at the 2006 CentroBasket
2006 Centrobasket
The 2006 Men's Central American and Caribbean Basketball Championship, also known as 2006 Centrobasket, was hosted in Panama City, Panama. The ATLAPA Convention Center in Panama City served as the venue for all the games...
, losing the automatic classification to the 2008 tournament
2008 Centrobasket
The 2008 Men's Central American and Caribbean Basketball Championship, also known as 2008 Centrobasket, was hosted in Cancún and Chetumal, México...
, but recover in time to earn gold at the 2006 Central American and Caribbean Games
Basketball at the 2006 Central American and Caribbean Games
Basketball in the 2006 Central American and Caribbean Games took place in the Coliseo Cubierto Base Naval in Cartagena, Colombia from the July 16 to July 22 for women and July 24 to July 30 for men. Each competition had 6 teams.-First Round:...
. Later, at the group play stage of the World Championship
2006 FIBA World Championship
The 2006 FIBA World Championship was an international basketball competition hosted by Japan from August 19 to September 3, 2006. It was co-organised by the International Basketball Federation , Japan Basketball Association and the 2006 Organizing Committee...
, which was contested in Japan, Puerto Rico started with victories over Senegal
Senegal national basketball team
The Senegal national basketball team are the men's basketball side that represent Senegal in international competition. The squad has comprised several players to have competed in the National Basketball Association, including Charlotte Bobcats center DeSagana Diop, and is considered, with those...
and the People's Republic of China
China national basketball team
The Chinese men's national basketball team is the basketball team representing China in international competitions. The governing body of Chinese basketball operations is the Basketball Association of China...
, but lost ties against the United States
United States national basketball team
The United States men's national basketball team represents the United States of America in international men's basketball. The USA is the most successful team in international competition, winning medals in all sixteen Olympic tournaments it has entered, coming away with thirteen golds...
, Italy
Italy national basketball team
The Italian national basketball team is the national basketball team representing Italy. It is administrated by the Federazione Italiana Pallacanestro ....
and Slovenia
Slovenia national basketball team
The Slovenian National Basketball Team is a team that is selected by the Basketball Federation of Slovenia to compete in major international basketball events in representation of Slovenia....
. The application of a second tiebreaker
Tiebreaker
In games and sports, a tiebreaker or tiebreak is used to determine a winner from among players or teams that are tied at the end of a contest, or a set of contests.-In matches:In some situations, the tiebreaker may consist of another round of play...
by points differential to Slovenia, China and Puerto Rico, each with a winning percentage
Winning percentage
In sports, a winning percentage is the fraction of games or matches a team or individual has won. It is defined as wins divided by wins plus losses . Ties count as a ½ loss and a ½ win...
of .400, placed Puerto Rico fifth in Group D, preventing the team from advancing to the knockout round for the first time since 1986; Puerto Rico ultimately placed 17th out of twenty-four, being this its shyest performance after a long time. The following year began with Puerto Rico earning its fifth silver medal at the 2007 Pan American Games
Basketball at the 2007 Pan American Games
Basketball at the 2007 Pan American Games took place at the indoor arena in the Autódromo de Jacarépagua built specially for the Pan Am Games. Brazil was the reigning Pan American champion in the men's competition, while Cuba defended its title in the women's competition.Each competition had eight...
, followed by the team's first participation in a CaribeBasket
FIBA CBC Championship
The CBC Championship or Caribebasket is a FIBA-sponsored basketball tournament where national teams from the Caribbean participate. These countries make up Caribbean Basketball Confederation...
. tournament, debuting against Trinidad & Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago national basketball team
The Trinidad and Tobago national basketball team represents Trinidad and Tobago in international baseball competitions. They won four straight gold medals from 1986-1990 in the FIBA CBC Championship. Trinidad and Tobago have six total medals in this tournament. Trinadad is second in medal list...
. Although the team didn't had the participation of Daniel Santiago
Daniel Santiago
Daniel Gregg Santiago is a American-Puerto Rican professional basketball player, currently playing at the center position for the Capitanes de Arecibo in Puerto Rico. Santiago is the fourth player from Puerto Rico to play in a NBA game...
or Rick Apodaca
Rick Apodaca
Rick Apodaca is a Puerto Rican professional basketball player. Apodaca has played in the NCAA, USBL, NBDL, and the National Superior Basketball League of Puerto Rico with the Arecibo Captains, Bayamón Cowboys, and San German Athletics. Apodaca has played internationally in Poland, Italy and Turkey...
, Puerto Rico won the tournament undefeated, which meant its classification to the 2008 CentroBasket
2008 Centrobasket
The 2008 Men's Central American and Caribbean Basketball Championship, also known as 2008 Centrobasket, was hosted in Cancún and Chetumal, México...
tournament. Later this year, Puerto Rico started to host an exhibition tournament called the Marchand Continental Championship Cup
Marchand Continental Championship Cup
The Tuto Marchand Continental Championship Cup is a warm up tournament for the FIBA Americas region senior men's basketball championship, the FIBA Americas Championship. The tournament is hosted by Puerto Rico.-History:...
in order to prepare for the 2007 FIBA Americas Championship. After playing against Brazil
Brazil national basketball team
The Brazilian National Basketball Team represents Brazil in FIBA's basketball competitions.-Men's team:First drafted in 1922, the men's team has won two World Championships , three bronze Olympic medals , four Americas Championships and five Pan American Games .-Olympic Games:-FIBA...
, Canada and Argentina
Argentina national basketball team
The Argentina national basketball team represents Argentina in basketball international competitions, and is controlled by the Argentine Basketball Federation....
, Puerto Rico lost all three games, ending up in 4th place. The year ended with a bronze at the FIBA Americas Championship. On January 31, 2008, a draw took place for the FIBA Preolympic tournament
FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Men 2008
The FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Men 2008 was the final qualifying tournament for the 2008 Olympic men's basketball tournament...
, which placed Puerto Rico in the same group as Croatia
Croatia national basketball team
The Croatian national basketball team represents Croatia at international tournaments. It is organized by the Croatian Basketball Federation...
and Cameroon
Cameroon national basketball team
Cameroon national basketball team is a basketball team that represents Cameroon on international competitions. Their best achievement is reaching the Silver Medal in FIBA Africa Championship held in 2007.- African Championship record :-Roster:...
, where its winner would have to face the second place of Group C. Following this event, the president of the National Superior Basketball League confirmed that the team would play exhibition games at the 2008 Bamberg Super Cup in Germany against Greece
Greece national basketball team
The Greece national basketball team is the representative for Greece in international men's basketball competitions, organized and run by the Hellenic Basketball Federation. Traditionally, Greece is considered among the world's top basketball powers; they were runners-up in the 2006 FIBA World...
, Slovenia
Slovenia national basketball team
The Slovenian National Basketball Team is a team that is selected by the Basketball Federation of Slovenia to compete in major international basketball events in representation of Slovenia....
and the host
Germany national basketball team
The German national basketball team for men is the basketball side that represents Germany in international competitions. Their biggest successes are the victory in the European Championship of 1993 at home in Germany, the silver medal in the 2005 European Championships and the bronze medal in the...
, beginning on July 4, 2008. Then, a second set of exhibition games would follow, scheduled to start on July 8, 2008, in Slovenia
Slovenia
Slovenia , officially the Republic of Slovenia , is a country in Central and Southeastern Europe touching the Alps and bordering the Mediterranean. Slovenia borders Italy to the west, Croatia to the south and east, Hungary to the northeast, and Austria to the north, and also has a small portion of...
: the 2008 Alpos International Cup, where the team would face New Zealand
New Zealand national basketball team
The New Zealand national basketball team represents New Zealand in international basketball competitions. It is nicknamed the Tall Blacks, derived from the name of New Zealand's Rugby union team, the All Blacks.-History:...
, Iran
Iran national basketball team
The Iran national basketball team represents Iran in international basketball competitions and is controlled by IR Iran Basketball Federation. It is one of the strongest teams in Asia, and the two time champions of the FIBA Asia Championship.-History:...
and the host
Slovenia national basketball team
The Slovenian National Basketball Team is a team that is selected by the Basketball Federation of Slovenia to compete in major international basketball events in representation of Slovenia....
. After these preparatory tournaments the team would train until the Preolympic tournament's beginning. The team began practicing on May 19, 2008, and included several players that were under consideration for inclusion by Cintrón
Manolo Cintron
Manuel Cintrón Vega is a former Puerto Rican professional basketball player, who for 11 seasons in the 1980s and early 1990s played with several teams in the National Basketball League in Puerto Rico., including the "Atléticos de San German", the "Leones de Ponce" and the "Gigantes de...
. On June 4, 2008, Daniel Santiago
Daniel Santiago
Daniel Gregg Santiago is a American-Puerto Rican professional basketball player, currently playing at the center position for the Capitanes de Arecibo in Puerto Rico. Santiago is the fourth player from Puerto Rico to play in a NBA game...
confirmed that he would abandon his international retirement and play with Puerto Rico in the Preolympic tournament. The player announced that he would join the team in July, following an exhibition game. Javier Mojica, Alejandro Carmona
Bimbo Carmona
Alejandro "Bimbo" Carmona is a Puerto Rican professional basketball player. Carmona has played with the Fort Worth Flyers of the NBA Development League and the National Superior Basketball League of Puerto Rico with Carolina Giants, Bayamón Cowboys and the Mayaguez Tainos...
and Joel Jones
Joel Jones
Joel Jones-Camacho is a Puerto Rican professional basketball player. Jones has played in the NCAA, National Superior Basketball League of Puerto Rico with Bayamón Cowboys, Ponce Lions and Quebradillas Pirates. and internationally in the Chinese Basketball Association with the Shandong Lions...
were included in as potential members in the preliminary team. On July 1, 2008, hours before the team was scheluded to travel to Europe, Ángelo Reyes
Angelo Reyes (basketball)
Angelo Reyes is a Puerto Rican/American professional basketball player. Reyes has played with the ABA and the National Superior Basketball League of Puerto Rico with Carolina Giants. Reyes has played internationally in Australia...
was excluded after not establishing communication with the directives. Reyes
Angelo Reyes (basketball)
Angelo Reyes is a Puerto Rican/American professional basketball player. Reyes has played with the ABA and the National Superior Basketball League of Puerto Rico with Carolina Giants. Reyes has played internationally in Australia...
was replaced with Alex Falcón. Subsecuently, Reyes
Angelo Reyes (basketball)
Angelo Reyes is a Puerto Rican/American professional basketball player. Reyes has played with the ABA and the National Superior Basketball League of Puerto Rico with Carolina Giants. Reyes has played internationally in Australia...
asked for a dispense to attend personal matters, noting that he intended to join the team in a week, however the player was not included due to time constraints. In the first game at the Bamberg Super Cup, Puerto Rico defeated Germany
Germany national basketball team
The German national basketball team for men is the basketball side that represents Germany in international competitions. Their biggest successes are the victory in the European Championship of 1993 at home in Germany, the silver medal in the 2005 European Championships and the bronze medal in the...
with a team composed mostly of reserve players, as Carlos Arroyo
Carlos Arroyo
Carlos Alberto Arroyo Bermúdez is a Puerto Rican professional basketball point guard who last played for the Boston Celtics. Arroyo is the fifth player from Puerto Rico to play in the NBA...
, Daniel Santiago
Daniel Santiago
Daniel Gregg Santiago is a American-Puerto Rican professional basketball player, currently playing at the center position for the Capitanes de Arecibo in Puerto Rico. Santiago is the fourth player from Puerto Rico to play in a NBA game...
, Larry Ayuso and Carmelo Lee were attending other compromises. Puerto Rico continued playing with these players, finishing 2nd, after losing the final game to Greece
Greece national basketball team
The Greece national basketball team is the representative for Greece in international men's basketball competitions, organized and run by the Hellenic Basketball Federation. Traditionally, Greece is considered among the world's top basketball powers; they were runners-up in the 2006 FIBA World...
, who entered the cup with their entire lineup. Santiago
Daniel Santiago
Daniel Gregg Santiago is a American-Puerto Rican professional basketball player, currently playing at the center position for the Capitanes de Arecibo in Puerto Rico. Santiago is the fourth player from Puerto Rico to play in a NBA game...
and Ayuso joined the practices on July 5, 2008, when Puerto Rico traveled to Slovenia
Slovenia
Slovenia , officially the Republic of Slovenia , is a country in Central and Southeastern Europe touching the Alps and bordering the Mediterranean. Slovenia borders Italy to the west, Croatia to the south and east, Hungary to the northeast, and Austria to the north, and also has a small portion of...
, where the Alpos International Cup was being held. The first match in the tournament was a victory against New Zealand
New Zealand national basketball team
The New Zealand national basketball team represents New Zealand in international basketball competitions. It is nicknamed the Tall Blacks, derived from the name of New Zealand's Rugby union team, the All Blacks.-History:...
, followed by another victory in the semifinals over Iran
Iran national basketball team
The Iran national basketball team represents Iran in international basketball competitions and is controlled by IR Iran Basketball Federation. It is one of the strongest teams in Asia, and the two time champions of the FIBA Asia Championship.-History:...
. At the end, Puerto Rico finished 2nd, losing to Slovencia
Slovenia national basketball team
The Slovenian National Basketball Team is a team that is selected by the Basketball Federation of Slovenia to compete in major international basketball events in representation of Slovenia....
in the finals. The Preolympic tournament
FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Men 2008
The FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Men 2008 was the final qualifying tournament for the 2008 Olympic men's basketball tournament...
began on July 14, 2008, but Puerto Rico's debut came the following day, when the team defeated Camerron
Cameroon national basketball team
Cameroon national basketball team is a basketball team that represents Cameroon on international competitions. Their best achievement is reaching the Silver Medal in FIBA Africa Championship held in 2007.- African Championship record :-Roster:...
and advanced to the second round, due to a loss that the African team had suffered during the first day of competition. On its second game, the team lost to Croatia
Croatia national basketball team
The Croatian national basketball team represents Croatia at international tournaments. It is organized by the Croatian Basketball Federation...
, but in the quarterfinals, defeated Slovenia
Slovenia national basketball team
The Slovenian National Basketball Team is a team that is selected by the Basketball Federation of Slovenia to compete in major international basketball events in representation of Slovenia....
. The team didn't qualify to the Olympics, after losing to Greece
Greece national basketball team
The Greece national basketball team is the representative for Greece in international men's basketball competitions, organized and run by the Hellenic Basketball Federation. Traditionally, Greece is considered among the world's top basketball powers; they were runners-up in the 2006 FIBA World...
in the semifinals and to Germany
Germany national basketball team
The German national basketball team for men is the basketball side that represents Germany in international competitions. Their biggest successes are the victory in the European Championship of 1993 at home in Germany, the silver medal in the 2005 European Championships and the bronze medal in the...
in the tournament's bronze medal game.
2008–2012
This Olympic cycle began with the 2008 CentroBasket2008 Centrobasket
The 2008 Men's Central American and Caribbean Basketball Championship, also known as 2008 Centrobasket, was hosted in Cancún and Chetumal, México...
competition. After having failed to classify directly to it, Puerto Rico's spot was secured after its first and only participation in the 2007 CaribeBasket tournament, where Puerto Rico won all round one games by over 25 points and went on to win gold. The 2008 Centrobasket was scheduled to take place before the Olympic Qualifying Tournament, but due to time constraints it was postponed. A group of prospects was included in the roster to replace Peter John Ramos
Peter John Ramos
Peter John Ramos is a Puerto Rican professional basketball player. He is the sixth player from Puerto Rico to play in an NBA game and the third Puerto Rican drafted by the NBA. Ramos has played in the NBA, the D-League and the National Superior Basketball League of Puerto Rico...
and Ricky Sanchez
Ricky Sanchez
Ricardo "Ricky" Sánchez is a Puerto Rican professional basketball player. He has played with the Idaho Stampede in the NBA Development League and the Continental Basketball Association, and with the Caguas Creoles and Humacao Grays in the National Superior Basketball League of Puerto Rico actually...
, who were injured. Among those included was Ángel Daniel Vassallo, who played as a small forward in Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech Hokies men's basketball
The Virginia Tech Hokies men's basketball team is an NCAA Division I college basketball team competing in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Home games are played at Cassell Coliseum, located on Virginia Tech's campus in Blacksburg.-History:...
. In the first game of the tournament, Puerto Rico defeated Costa Rica. In the other two games of the first round, the team defeated Cuba
Cuba national basketball team
The Cuba national basketball team is the national basketball team from Cuba. Cuba won the bronze medal at 1972 Summer Olympics and the 4th place 1974 FIBA World Championship...
and Panama. During the course of the event, Carlos Arroyo
Carlos Arroyo
Carlos Alberto Arroyo Bermúdez is a Puerto Rican professional basketball point guard who last played for the Boston Celtics. Arroyo is the fifth player from Puerto Rico to play in the NBA...
and Larry Ayuso were forced to rest a game due to injuries. In the semifinals, the team scored a win over the Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic national basketball team
The Dominican Republic national basketball team are the men's basketball side that represent the Dominican Republic in international competition...
. Puerto Rico won the gold medal by defeating the United States Virgin Islands
Virgin Islands national basketball team
The US Virgin Islands national basketball team are the basketball side that represent the US Virgin Islands in international competitions.-Pan American Games:* 1971: 11th place* 1975: 10th place* 1979: 10th place* 1987: 10th place...
in the finals. The team has secured a spot for the 2010 FIBA World Championship
2010 FIBA World Championship
The 2010 FIBA World Championship, hosted by Turkey, was the international basketball competition contested by the men's national teams. The tournament ran from August 28 to September 12, 2010. It was co-organized by the International Basketball Federation , Turkish Basketball Federation and the...
by finishing in 1 of the top 4 spots in the 2009 FIBA Americas Championship
FIBA Americas Championship 2009
The 2009 FIBA Americas Championship was the continental championships held by FIBA Americas for North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. The championship served as a qualifying tournament for the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Turkey...
. At the end, Puerto Rico finished the tournament with the silver medal, having lost the game against Argentina
Argentina national basketball team
The Argentina national basketball team represents Argentina in basketball international competitions, and is controlled by the Argentine Basketball Federation....
in the group stage, and losing the final against Brazil
Brazil national basketball team
The Brazilian National Basketball Team represents Brazil in FIBA's basketball competitions.-Men's team:First drafted in 1922, the men's team has won two World Championships , three bronze Olympic medals , four Americas Championships and five Pan American Games .-Olympic Games:-FIBA...
. Pending the performance at the 2010 FIBA World Championship, this cycle has had Puerto Rico with a record of 19–2 (Caribebasket 6–0, Centrobasket 5–0, FIBA Americas 8–2), not counting the 2nd place finish at the 2009 Marchand Continental Championship Cup
Marchand Continental Championship Cup
The Tuto Marchand Continental Championship Cup is a warm up tournament for the FIBA Americas region senior men's basketball championship, the FIBA Americas Championship. The tournament is hosted by Puerto Rico.-History:...
, where Puerto Rico won the exhibition games against Argentina
Argentina national basketball team
The Argentina national basketball team represents Argentina in basketball international competitions, and is controlled by the Argentine Basketball Federation....
and Canada, but lost the final to Brazil
Brazil national basketball team
The Brazilian National Basketball Team represents Brazil in FIBA's basketball competitions.-Men's team:First drafted in 1922, the men's team has won two World Championships , three bronze Olympic medals , four Americas Championships and five Pan American Games .-Olympic Games:-FIBA...
.
At the 2010 CentroBasket, Puerto Rico won Group B with Cuba finishing second. The team defeated Panama in semifinals and the Dominican Republic in the final to win the gold medal. Arroyo and Barea were included in the tournament's All-Star Team.
In 2010, the Puerto Rican Basketball Federation
Puerto Rican Basketball Federation
The Puerto Rican Basketball Federation is the governing body of basketball in Puerto Rico. It selects the Puerto Rican national basketball team, which is the 10th ranked men's team in the world.-External links:*...
relieved Manolo Cintron
Manolo Cintron
Manuel Cintrón Vega is a former Puerto Rican professional basketball player, who for 11 seasons in the 1980s and early 1990s played with several teams in the National Basketball League in Puerto Rico., including the "Atléticos de San German", the "Leones de Ponce" and the "Gigantes de...
of his coaching duties, and on June 8, 2011, the Federation officially announced the new head coach of the national team, Flor Melendez
Flor Melendez
Flor Meléndez Montañez , better known plainly as Flor Meléndez, is a well known former basketball player and an international coach from Puerto Rico. He is a native of Cidra and the current head coach of Puerto Rico's basketball team.-Early life:Meléndez is the son of Florencio Meléndez and Emilia...
, which will be Melendez's second stint with the team as head coach.
On August 27, 2011, a chartered airplane carrying the team as well as the Canadian, Dominican and Brazilian national basketball teams from Foz de Iguacu, Brazil, to Mar del Plata, Argentina, made an emergency landing at Ezeiza International Airport, Buenos Aires, Argentina, after experiencing severe weather conditions mid-flight. The plane left for Mar del Plata an hour and a half after it landed.
Uniform
During most of the 1980s and up until the late 1990s, the team wore a solid color uniform, with accent lines and the word "Puerto Rico" written in stylized cursive. Nowadays, the national team's uniform resembles a Puerto Rican flag, but also includes the usual Puerto Rico sign in cursive. The uniforms are red or blue for "visitor" status, and white for "host."FIBA World ChampionshipFIBA World ChampionshipThe FIBA World Championship is an international basketball competition contested by the men's national teams of the members of the International Basketball Federation , the sport's global governing body...
s
| Year | Position | Tournament | Host |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1950 | – | 1950 FIBA World Championship 1950 FIBA World Championship The 1950 FIBA World Championship was an international basketball tournament held by the International Basketball Federation in Buenos Aires, Argentina, from October 22 to November 3, 1950. Ten nations participated in the inaugural tournament. All competition was held at the Luna Park, Buenos Aires... |
Buenos Aires, Argentina |
| 1954 | – | 1954 FIBA World Championship 1954 FIBA World Championship The 1954 FIBA World Championship was an international basketball tournament held by the International Basketball Federation in Ginásio do Maracanãzinho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from October 22 to November 5, 1954... |
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
| 1959 | 5 | 1959 FIBA World Championship 1959 FIBA World Championship The 1959 FIBA World Championship was an international basketball competition hosted by Chile from January 16 to 31 , 1959. Amaury Antônio Pasos was named the MVP.... |
Santiago Santiago, Chile Santiago , also known as Santiago de Chile, is the capital and largest city of Chile, and the center of its largest conurbation . It is located in the country's central valley, at an elevation of above mean sea level... , Chile |
| 1963 | 6 | 1963 FIBA World Championship 1963 FIBA World Championship The 1963 FIBA World Championship was an international basketball competition hosted by Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from May 11 to 23 , 1963.- Competing nations :- Preliminary round :-Group A:-Group B:-Group C:-Classification round:... |
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
| 1967 | 12 | 1967 FIBA World Championship 1967 FIBA World Championship The 1967 FIBA World Championship was an international basketball competition hosted by Montevideo, Uruguay from May 27 to June 11, 1967.-Venues:- Competing nations :- Preliminary round :-Group A:-Group B:-Group C:-Classification round:... |
Montevideo, Uruguay |
| 1970 | Not Qualified | 1970 FIBA World Championship 1970 FIBA World Championship The 1970 FIBA World Championship was an international basketball competition hosted by Yugoslavia at Sarajevo, Split, Karlovac, Skopje and Ljubljana, from May 10 to 24 , 1970... |
Ljubljana Ljubljana Ljubljana is the capital of Slovenia and its largest city. It is the centre of the City Municipality of Ljubljana. It is located in the centre of the country in the Ljubljana Basin, and is a mid-sized city of some 270,000 inhabitants... , Yugoslavia Yugoslavia Yugoslavia refers to three political entities that existed successively on the western part of the Balkans during most of the 20th century.... |
| 1974 | 7 | 1974 FIBA World Championship 1974 FIBA World Championship The 1974 FIBA World Championship was an international basketball competition hosted by Puerto Rico from July 3 to 14, 1974.-Venues:- Competing nations :- Preliminary round :-Group A:-Group B:-Group C:-Classification round:-Final round:... |
San Juan San Juan, Puerto Rico San Juan , officially Municipio de la Ciudad Capital San Juan Bautista , is the capital and most populous municipality in Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 395,326 making it the 46th-largest city under the jurisdiction of... , Puerto Rico Puerto Rico Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an... |
| 1978 | 10 | 1978 FIBA World Championship 1978 FIBA World Championship The 1978 FIBA World Championship was an international basketball competition hosted by Philippines from October 1 to 14, 1978.Rizal Memorial Coliseum at Manila and Araneta Coliseum at Quezon City, Metro Manila were the venues for the event.-Venues:... |
Manila Manila Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,... , Philippines |
| 1982 | Not Qualified | 1982 FIBA World Championship 1982 FIBA World Championship The 1982 FIBA World Championship was an international basketball competition hosted by Colombia from August 15 to 28 , 1982.-Venues:- Competing nations :- Preliminary round :-Group A:-Group B:-Group C:-Classification round:-Final round:... |
Cali Santiago de Cali Santiago de Cali , simply referred to as Cali, is a city in western Colombia and the capital of the Valle del Cauca Department. With a population of 2.5 million, Cali is the third largest city in the country. It has one of the fastest growing economies and infrastructure in the country because... , Colombia |
| 1986 | 13 | 1986 FIBA World Championship 1986 FIBA World Championship The 1986 FIBA World Championship was an international basketball competition hosted by Spain from July 5 to 19 1986.The Final phase of the tournament was held at the Palacio de Deportes de la Comunidad, Madrid... |
Madrid Madrid Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million and the entire population of the Madrid metropolitan area is calculated to be 6.271 million. It is the third largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and its metropolitan... , Spain |
| 1990 | 4 (Best) | 1990 FIBA World Championship 1990 FIBA World Championship The 1990 FIBA World Championship was an international basketball competition hosted by Argentina from August 8 to August 20, 1990.The competition final phase was held at the Luna Park, Buenos Aires.Yugoslavia emerged as the tournament winner... |
Buenos Aires, Argentina |
| 1994 | 6 | 1994 FIBA World Championship 1994 FIBA World Championship The 1994 FIBA World Championship was an international basketball competition hosted by Canada from August 4 to August 14, 1994. The tournament was held at SkyDome and Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto as well as at Copps Coliseum in Hamilton... |
Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| 1998 | 11 | 1998 FIBA World Championship 1998 FIBA World Championship The 1998 FIBA World Championship was the 13th FIBA World Championship, an international basketball tournament held by the International Basketball Federation and hosted in Athens, Greece from July 29 to August 9, 1998... |
Athens, Greece |
| 2002 | 7 | 2002 FIBA World Championship 2002 FIBA World Championship The 2002 FIBA World Championship was an international basketball tournament held by the International Basketball Federation in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA from August 29 to September 8, 2002.-Venues:-Squads:... |
Indianapolis Indianapolis Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S... , Indiana, United States |
| 2006 | 17 | 2006 FIBA World Championship 2006 FIBA World Championship The 2006 FIBA World Championship was an international basketball competition hosted by Japan from August 19 to September 3, 2006. It was co-organised by the International Basketball Federation , Japan Basketball Association and the 2006 Organizing Committee... |
Saitama City Saitama, Saitama ' is the capital and the most populous city of Saitama Prefecture in Japan, situated in the south-east of the prefecture. Its area incorporates the former cities of Urawa, Ōmiya, Yono and Iwatsuki. It is a city designated by government ordinance... , Japan |
| 2010 | 17 | 2010 FIBA World Championship 2010 FIBA World Championship The 2010 FIBA World Championship, hosted by Turkey, was the international basketball competition contested by the men's national teams. The tournament ran from August 28 to September 12, 2010. It was co-organized by the International Basketball Federation , Turkish Basketball Federation and the... |
Istanbul Istanbul Istanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and... , Turkey |
Joining FIBA in 1957, Puerto Rico has only been absent from two world championships since its debut in 1959 (1970 and 1982). It failed to qualify for the 2006 Championship, but received one of the four invitations to play. The best performance was at the 1990 Championships, reaching semifinals, but failing to win a medal.
Olympic Games
| Year | Position | Tournament | Host |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1904 | – | 1904 Summer Olympics (Demonstration Sport) Basketball at the 1904 Summer Olympics Basketball appeared at the 1904 Summer Olympics for the first time, as a demonstration sport. There were four different events in Saint Louis for basketball competition.-Amateur championships:*Buffalo German YMCA def. Missouri AC, 97-8... |
St. Louis, Missouri St. Louis, Missouri St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St... , United States |
| 1936 | – | 1936 Summer Olympics Basketball at the 1936 Summer Olympics -Fifth-place classification:-First round:Winners advanced to the second round. Losers competed in the first consolation round for another chance to move on.* Estonia def. France, 34-29* Chile def. Turkey, 30-16* Switzerland def. Germany, 25-18... |
Berlin, Germany |
| 1948 | – | 1948 Summer Olympics Basketball at the 1948 Summer Olympics Basketball at the 1948 Summer Olympics was the second appearance of the sport as an official medal event. A total number of 23 nations entered the competition.... |
London]], United Kingdom |
| 1952 | – | 1952 Summer Olympics Basketball at the 1952 Summer Olympics Basketball at the 1952 Summer Olympics was the third appearance of the sport. 23 nations entered the competition.The top six teams at the 1948 Summer Olympics qualified automatically, as did the 1950 World Champion , the top two at the 1951 European championships , and the host country... |
Helsinki, Finland |
| 1956 | – | 1956 Summer Olympics Basketball at the 1956 Summer Olympics Basketball at the 1956 Summer Olympics was the fourth appearance of the sport in Olympic competition. Fifteen nations, an unusually low number for the basketball tournament, competed in the event, with 174 participants. A total number of 56 games of basketball were played.The teams were divided... |
Melbourne, Australia |
| 1960 | 13 | 1960 Summer Olympics Basketball at the 1960 Summer Olympics Basketball at the 1960 Summer Olympics was the fifth appearance of the sport in Olympic competition. 16 nations were admitted into the Olympic tournament, with many others being eliminated in a pre-Olympic tournament held earlier in the year from 13 to 20 August 1960 at the Sports Palace at Bologna... |
Rome, Italy |
| 1964 | 4 (Best) | 1964 Summer Olympics Basketball at the 1964 Summer Olympics Basketball contests at the 1964 Summer Olympics took place at the Yoyogi National Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan from October 11 to October 23. The United States defeated the Soviet Union to win their sixth straight gold medal at this event, while Brazil earned the bronze against Puerto... |
Tokyo, Japan |
| 1968 | 9 | 1968 Summer Olympics Basketball at the 1968 Summer Olympics -Group B:October 13October 14October 15October 16October 18October 19October 20-Medal bracket:-Classification brackets:5th–8th Place9th–12th Place... |
Mexico City Mexico City Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole... , Mexico |
| 1972 | 6 | 1972 Summer Olympics Basketball at the 1972 Summer Olympics -Group B:-Medal bracket:-Classification brackets:5th–8th Place9th–12th Place13th–16th Place Forfeited match.-Gold Medal Match controversy:... |
Munich, Germany |
| 1976 | 9 | 1976 Summer Olympics Basketball at the 1976 Summer Olympics Basketball contests at the 1976 Summer Olympics took place from July 18 to July 27 at the Centre Étienne Desmarteau and the Montreal Forum in Montreal, Canada. Women's basketball was introduced to the Olympic program for the first time at this Games... |
Montreal, Canada |
| 1980 | Boycott | 1980 Summer Olympics Basketball at the 1980 Summer Olympics Basketball at the 1980 Summer Olympics was held from July 20 to July 30 at the Olympiiski Indoor Stadium and at the CSKA Sports Palace, both located in Moscow. Finals of both men's and women's events were held 30 July at the Olympiiski Indoor Stadium.... |
Moscow, Russia SFSR, Soviet Union Soviet Union The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991.... |
| 1984 | Not Qualified | 1984 Summer Olympics Basketball at the 1984 Summer Olympics -Group B:-Championship bracket:-Classification brackets:5th–8th Place9th–12th Place-Preliminary Round:... |
Los Angeles, California, United States |
| 1988 | 7 | 1988 Summer Olympics Basketball at the 1988 Summer Olympics Basketball at the 1988 Summer Olympics took place at the Jamsil Gymnasium in Seoul, South Korea. The United States won the gold medal in the women's competition, thus repeating their performance from the 1984 tournament. In the men's tournament, the Soviet Union took home their second gold medal in... |
Seoul, South Korea |
| 1992 | 8 | 1992 Summer Olympics Basketball at the 1992 Summer Olympics The Basketball games of the 1992 Summer Olympics were played at the Pavelló Olímpic de Badalona. 12 men's teams and 8 women's teams participated in the tournament.... |
Barcelona, Spain |
| 1996 | 10 | 1996 Summer Olympics Basketball at the 1996 Summer Olympics Basketball contests at the 1996 Olympic Games were held from July 20, 1996 to August 4, 1996. Games took place at the Morehouse College Gymnasium and the Georgia Dome. For the second straight Olympic games, the American men's team composed almost entirely of NBA players won the gold medal... |
Atlanta, Georgia, United States |
| 2000 | Not Qualified | 2000 Summer Olympics Basketball at the 2000 Summer Olympics -Group B:-Championship bracket:-Classification matches:-Preliminary round:The four best teams from each group advanced to the quarterfinal round.-Group A:-Group B:-Championship bracket:... |
Sidney, Australia |
| 2004 | 6 | 2004 Summer Olympics Basketball at the 2004 Summer Olympics Basketball at the 2004 Summer Olympics took place at the Helliniko Olympic Indoor Arena in Athens, Greece for the preliminary rounds, with the latter stages being held in the Olympic Indoor Hall at the Athens Olympic Sports Complex.... |
Athens, Greece |
| 2008 | Not Qualified | 2008 Summer Olympics Basketball at the 2008 Summer Olympics Basketball contests at the 2008 Olympic Games were held from August 9, 2008 to August 24, 2008. Competitions were held at the Wukesong Indoor Stadium in Beijing, China... |
Beijing, China |
| 2012 | ? | 2012 Summer Olympics 2012 Summer Olympics The 2012 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the "London 2012 Olympic Games", are scheduled to take place in London, England, United Kingdom from 27 July to 12 August 2012... |
London]], United Kingdom |
Since joining FIBA in 1957, Puerto Rico has participated in nine Olympic tournaments, coming in fourth in 1964 and achieving history in 2004 when it became the first team in Olympic history to defeat a United States' team composed of NBA players. Up to this day, Puerto Rico's win over Team USA represents their biggest margin of loss (19 points) in international competition ever. Since its debut in Olympic basketball in 1960, it has only been absent from 4 Olympic tournaments (1980 because of the boycott, 1984, 2000 and 2008).
FIBA Americas ChampionshipFIBA Americas ChampionshipThe FIBA Americas Championship is the name commonly used to refer to the American Basketball Championship that take place every two years between national teams of the continents...
s
| Year | Position | Tournament | Host |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Gold | 1980 Tournament of the Americas (Pre-Olympic) 1980 Tournament of the Americas The 1980 Tournament of the Americas, known now as the FIBA Americas Championship, was a basketball championship hosted by Puerto Rico from April 18 to April 25, 1980. The games were played in San Juan. This FIBA Americas Championship was to earn the berths allocated to the Americas for the 1980... |
San Juan San Juan, Puerto Rico San Juan , officially Municipio de la Ciudad Capital San Juan Bautista , is the capital and most populous municipality in Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 395,326 making it the 46th-largest city under the jurisdiction of... , Puerto Rico Puerto Rico Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an... |
| 1984 | 6 | 1984 Tournament of the Americas (Pre-Olympic) 1984 Tournament of the Americas The 1984 Tournament of the Americas, known now as the FIBA Americas Championship, was a basketball championship hosted by Brazil from May 15 to May 24, 1984. The games were played in Sao Paulo. This FIBA Americas Championship was to earn the three berths allocated to the Americas for the 1984... |
São Paulo São Paulo São Paulo is the largest city in Brazil, the largest city in the southern hemisphere and South America, and the world's seventh largest city by population. The metropolis is anchor to the São Paulo metropolitan area, ranked as the second-most populous metropolitan area in the Americas and among... , Brazil |
| 1988 | Silver | 1988 Tournament of the Americas (Pre-Olympic) 1988 Tournament of the Americas The 1988 Tournament of the Americas, known now as the FIBA Americas Championship, was a basketball championship hosted by Uruguay from May 22 to May 31, 1988. The games were played in Montevideo. This FIBA Americas Championship was to earn the three berths allocated to the Americas for the 1988... |
Montevideo Montevideo Montevideo is the largest city, the capital, and the chief port of Uruguay. The settlement was established in 1726 by Bruno Mauricio de Zabala, as a strategic move amidst a Spanish-Portuguese dispute over the platine region, and as a counter to the Portuguese colony at Colonia del Sacramento... , Uruguay |
| 1989 | Gold | 1989 FIBA Americas Championship (Pre-World) 1989 Tournament of the Americas The 1989 Tournament of the Americas, known now as the FIBA Americas Championship, was a basketball championship hosted by Mexico from June 8 to June 18, 1989. The games were played in Mexico City. This FIBA Americas Championship was to earn the five berths allocated to the Americas for the 1990... |
Mexico City Mexico City Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole... , Mexico |
| 1992 | 4 | 1992 Tournament of the Americas (Pre-Olympic) 1992 Tournament of the Americas The 1992 Tournament of the Americas, known now as the FIBA Americas Championship, was a basketball championship hosted by the United States from June 27 to July 5, 1992. The games were played in Portland, Oregon. This FIBA Americas Championship was to earn the four berths allocated to the... |
Portland, Oregon Portland, Oregon Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States... , United States |
| 1993 | Silver | 1993 FIBA Americas Championship (Pre-World) 1993 Tournament of the Americas The 1993 Tournament of the Americas, known now as the FIBA Americas Championship, was a basketball championship hosted by Puerto Rico from August 28 to September 5, 1993. The games were played in San Juan. This FIBA Americas Championship was to earn the four berths allocated to the Americas for... |
San Juan San Juan, Puerto Rico San Juan , officially Municipio de la Ciudad Capital San Juan Bautista , is the capital and most populous municipality in Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 395,326 making it the 46th-largest city under the jurisdiction of... , Puerto Rico Puerto Rico Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an... |
| 1995 | Gold | 1995 Tournament of the Americas (Pre-Olympic) 1995 Tournament of the Americas The 1995 Tournament of the Americas, known now as the FIBA Americas Championship, was a basketball championship hosted by Argentina from August 15 to August 27, 1995. The games were played in Tucuman and Neuquen. This FIBA Americas Championship was to earn the three berths allocated to the... |
Tucumán, Argentina |
| 1997 | Silver | 1997 FIBA Americas Championship (Pre-World) 1997 Tournament of the Americas The 1997 Tournament of the Americas, known now as the FIBA Americas Championship, was a basketball championship hosted by Uruguay from August 21 to August 31, 1997. The games were played in Montevideo. This FIBA Americas Championship was to earn the four berths allocated to the Americas for the... |
Montevideo Montevideo Montevideo is the largest city, the capital, and the chief port of Uruguay. The settlement was established in 1726 by Bruno Mauricio de Zabala, as a strategic move amidst a Spanish-Portuguese dispute over the platine region, and as a counter to the Portuguese colony at Colonia del Sacramento... , Uruguay |
| 1999 | 4 | 1999 Tournament of the Americas (Pre-Olympic) | San Juan San Juan, Puerto Rico San Juan , officially Municipio de la Ciudad Capital San Juan Bautista , is the capital and most populous municipality in Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 395,326 making it the 46th-largest city under the jurisdiction of... , Puerto Rico Puerto Rico Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an... |
| 2001 | 4 | 2001 FIBA Americas Championship (Pre-World) | Neuquén Neuquén Neuquén is the name of the following things:* Neuquén, Argentina* Neuquén Province* Neuquén River* Neuquén Group... , Argentina |
| 2003 | Bronze | 2003 Tournament of the Americas (Pre-Olympic) | San Juan San Juan, Puerto Rico San Juan , officially Municipio de la Ciudad Capital San Juan Bautista , is the capital and most populous municipality in Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 395,326 making it the 46th-largest city under the jurisdiction of... , Puerto Rico Puerto Rico Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an... |
| 2005 | 7 | 2005 FIBA Americas Championship (Pre-World) | Santo Domingo Santo Domingo Santo Domingo, known officially as Santo Domingo de Guzmán, is the capital and largest city in the Dominican Republic. Its metropolitan population was 2,084,852 in 2003, and estimated at 3,294,385 in 2010. The city is located on the Caribbean Sea, at the mouth of the Ozama River... , Dominican Republic |
| 2007 | Bronze | 2007 Tournament of the Americas (Pre-Olympic) | Las Vegas, Nevada Las Vegas, Nevada Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous... , United States |
| 2009 | Silver | 2009 FIBA Americas Championship (Pre-World) FIBA Americas Championship 2009 The 2009 FIBA Americas Championship was the continental championships held by FIBA Americas for North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. The championship served as a qualifying tournament for the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Turkey... |
San Juan San Juan, Puerto Rico San Juan , officially Municipio de la Ciudad Capital San Juan Bautista , is the capital and most populous municipality in Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 395,326 making it the 46th-largest city under the jurisdiction of... , Puerto Rico Puerto Rico Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an... |
| 2011 | 4 | 2011 FIBA Americas Championship (Pre-Olympic) FIBA Americas Championship 2011 The 2011 FIBA Americas Championship for Men was the qualifying tournament for FIBA Americas at the 2012 Summer Olympics men's basketball tournament in London. The tournament was held in Mar del Plata, Argentina, from August 30 to September 11, 2011. Argentina won the title, defeating Brazil 80–75... |
Mar del Plata, Argentina |
Puerto Rico has participated in all of the FIBA Americas Championships and has gone all the way to the semifinals in all but the 1984 and 2005 tournaments. It has a total of 9 medals.
| Total | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 4 | 2 | 9 |
Since its inception in 2000, joining together the champions from each of the FIBA
International Basketball Federation
The International Basketball Federation, more commonly known as FIBA , from its French name Fédération Internationale de Basketball, is an association of national organizations which governs international competition in basketball...
Federations, Puerto Rico is yet to participate at the FIBA Diamond Ball
FIBA Diamond Ball
The FIBA Diamond Ball is an official international basketball tournament organized by FIBA, held every Olympic year prior to the Olympics. The first tournament was held in 2000 for men's teams only; starting in 2004, tournaments have been held for both men and women.The competing teams are the host...
Championship, as the USA
United States national basketball team
The United States men's national basketball team represents the United States of America in international men's basketball. The USA is the most successful team in international competition, winning medals in all sixteen Olympic tournaments it has entered, coming away with thirteen golds...
and Brazil
Brazil national basketball team
The Brazilian National Basketball Team represents Brazil in FIBA's basketball competitions.-Men's team:First drafted in 1922, the men's team has won two World Championships , three bronze Olympic medals , four Americas Championships and five Pan American Games .-Olympic Games:-FIBA...
teams have won all the Pre-Olympics tournaments.
Pan American Games
| Year | Position | Tournament | Host |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1951 | – | 1951 Pan American Games Basketball at the 1951 Pan American Games The Men's Basketball Tournament at the 1951 Pan American Games was held in the Luna Park Arena from February 28 to March 8, 1951 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.-Final ranking:-References:**... |
Buenos Aires, Argentina |
| 1955 | – | 1955 Pan American Games Basketball at the 1955 Pan American Games The men's basketball tournament at the 1955 Pan American Games was held from March 13 to March 24, 1955 in Mexico City, Mexico.-Final ranking:-References:**... |
Mexico City Mexico City Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole... , Mexico |
| 1959 | Silver | 1959 Pan American Games Basketball at the 1959 Pan American Games The Men's Basketball Tournament at the 1959 Pan American Games was held from August 27 to September 6, 1959 in Chicago, United States.-Final ranking:-References:**... |
Chicago, Illinois |
| 1963 | Bronze | 1963 Pan American Games Basketball at the 1963 Pan American Games The Men's Basketball Tournament at the 1963 Pan American Games was held from April 23 to May 3, 1963 in São Paulo, Brazil.-Final ranking:-References:**... |
São Paulo, Brazil |
| 1967 | 5 | 1967 Pan American Games Basketball at the 1967 Pan American Games The Men's Basketball Tournament at the 1967 Pan American Games was held from July 24 to August 2, 1967 in Winnipeg, Canada.-Participating nations:-Final ranking:-References:**... |
Winnipeg, Canada |
| 1971 | Silver | 1971 Pan American Games Basketball at the 1971 Pan American Games The Men's Basketball Tournament at the 1971 Pan American Games was held from July 31 to August 12, 1971 in Cali, Colombia.-Participating nations:-Preliminary round:... |
Cali Santiago de Cali Santiago de Cali , simply referred to as Cali, is a city in western Colombia and the capital of the Valle del Cauca Department. With a population of 2.5 million, Cali is the third largest city in the country. It has one of the fastest growing economies and infrastructure in the country because... , Colombia |
| 1975 | Silver | 1975 Pan American Games Basketball at the 1975 Pan American Games The Men's Basketball Tournament at the 1975 Pan American Games was held from October 13 to October 25, 1975 in Mexico City, Mexico.-Participating nations:-Final ranking:-References:**... |
Mexico City Mexico City Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole... , Mexico |
| 1979 | Silver | 1979 Pan American Games Basketball at the 1979 Pan American Games The Men's Basketball Tournament at the 1979 Pan American Games was held from July 2 to July 14, 1979 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.-Participating nations:-Final ranking:-References:**... |
San Juan San Juan, Puerto Rico San Juan , officially Municipio de la Ciudad Capital San Juan Bautista , is the capital and most populous municipality in Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 395,326 making it the 46th-largest city under the jurisdiction of... , Puerto Rico Puerto Rico Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an... |
| 1983 | 6 | 1983 Pan American Games Basketball at the 1983 Pan American Games The Men's Basketball Tournament at the 1983 Pan American Games was held from August 15 to August 27, 1983 in Caracas, Venezuela.-Participating nations:-Final ranking:-References:**... |
Caracas, Venezuela |
| 1987 | Bronze | 1987 Pan American Games Basketball at the 1987 Pan American Games The Men's Basketball Tournament at the 1987 Pan American Games was held from August 9 to August 23, 1987 at the Market Square Arena in Indianapolis, United States.-Participating nations:-Final ranking:-References:**... |
Indianapolis Indianapolis Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S... , Indiana, United States |
| 1991 | Gold | 1991 Pan American Games Basketball at the 1991 Pan American Games The Men's Basketball Tournament at the 1991 Pan American Games was held from August 3 to August 17, 1991 in Havana, Cuba. The women also competed in the Cuban capital, from August 3 to August 12.-Participating nations:-Preliminary round:... |
Havana, Cuba |
| 1995 | 6 | 1995 Pan American Games Basketball at the 1995 Pan American Games This page shows the results of the Basketball Tournament at the 1995 Pan American Games, held in Mar del Plata, Argentina from March 19 to March 25, 1995... |
Mar del Plata, Argentina |
| 1999 | Bronze | 1999 Pan American Games Basketball at the 1999 Pan American Games This page shows the results of the basketball tournament at the 1999 Pan American Games, held in the Winnipeg Arena in Winnipeg, Canada from July 31 to August 8, 1999.-Men's tournament:-Group A:August 1, 1999August 2, 1999August 4, 1999... |
Winnipeg, Canada |
| 2003 | Bronze | 2003 Pan American Games Basketball at the 2003 Pan American Games This page shows the results of the basketball tournament at the 2003 Pan American Games, held in the Palacio de los Deportes Virgilio Travieso Soto in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic from August 2 to August 8, 2003.-Men's Tournament:-Group A:... |
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic |
| 2007 | Silver | 2007 Pan American Games Basketball at the 2007 Pan American Games Basketball at the 2007 Pan American Games took place at the indoor arena in the Autódromo de Jacarépagua built specially for the Pan Am Games. Brazil was the reigning Pan American champion in the men's competition, while Cuba defended its title in the women's competition.Each competition had eight... |
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
| 2011 | Gold | 2011 Pan American Games Basketball at the 2011 Pan American Games Basketball competitions at the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara were held from October 21 to October 30 at the CODE Dome. Each team was allowed to enter a maximum of twelve athletes.-Medal table:-Events:-Qualification:... |
Guadalajara, Mexico Mexico The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of... |
Since joining FIBA in 1957, Puerto Rico has participated in the basketball competition for all editions of the Pan American Games since 1959, obtaining medals in all but the 1967, 1983 and 1995 games. It has a total of 11 medals.
| Total | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 5 | 4 | 11 |
CentroBasket ChampionshipCentrobasketCentrobasket is a FIBA sponsored basketball tournament where national teams from Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean participate. These countries make up the Central American and Caribbean Confederation . The top three or four teams typically earn berths to the FIBA Americas Championship,...
s
| Year | Position | Tournament | Host |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1965 | Silver | 1965 CentroBasket Championship | Mexico City Mexico City Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole... , Mexico |
| 1967 | – | 1967 CentroBasket Championship | San Salvador San Salvador The city of San Salvador the capital and largest city of El Salvador, which has been designated a Gamma World City. Its complete name is La Ciudad de Gran San Salvador... , El Salvador |
| 1969 | Bronze | 1969 CentroBasket Championship | Havana Havana Havana is the capital city, province, major port, and leading commercial centre of Cuba. The city proper has a population of 2.1 million inhabitants, and it spans a total of — making it the largest city in the Caribbean region, and the most populous... , Cuba |
| 1971 | Silver | 1971 CentroBasket Championship | Caracas Caracas Caracas , officially Santiago de León de Caracas, is the capital and largest city of Venezuela; natives or residents are known as Caraquenians in English . It is located in the northern part of the country, following the contours of the narrow Caracas Valley on the Venezuelan coastal mountain range... , Venezuela |
| 1973 | Gold | 1973 CentroBasket Championship | San Juan San Juan, Puerto Rico San Juan , officially Municipio de la Ciudad Capital San Juan Bautista , is the capital and most populous municipality in Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 395,326 making it the 46th-largest city under the jurisdiction of... , Puerto Rico Puerto Rico Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an... |
| 1975 | Silver | 1975 CentroBasket Championship | Santo Domingo Santo Domingo Santo Domingo, known officially as Santo Domingo de Guzmán, is the capital and largest city in the Dominican Republic. Its metropolitan population was 2,084,852 in 2003, and estimated at 3,294,385 in 2010. The city is located on the Caribbean Sea, at the mouth of the Ozama River... , Dominican Republic |
| 1977 | Silver | 1977 CentroBasket Championship | Panama City Panama City Panama is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Panama. It has a population of 880,691, with a total metro population of 1,272,672, and it is located at the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal, in the province of the same name. The city is the political and administrative center of the... , Panama |
| 1981 | Silver | 1981 CentroBasket Championship | San Juan, Puerto Rico |
| 1985 | Gold | 1985 CentroBasket Championship | Mexico City Mexico City Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole... , Mexico |
| 1987 | Gold | 1987 CentroBasket Championship | Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic |
| 1989 | Gold | 1989 CentroBasket Championship | Havana, Cuba |
| 1991 | Gold | 1991 CentroBasket Championship | Monterrey Monterrey Monterrey , is the capital city of the northeastern state of Nuevo León in the country of Mexico. The city is anchor to the third-largest metropolitan area in Mexico and is ranked as the ninth-largest city in the nation. Monterrey serves as a commercial center in the north of the country and is the... , Mexico |
| 1993 | Gold | 1993 CentroBasket Championship | Ponce Ponce, Puerto Rico Ponce is both a city and a municipality in the southern part of Puerto Rico. The city is the seat of the municipal government.The city of Ponce, the fourth most populated in Puerto Rico, and the most populated outside of the San Juan metropolitan area, is named for Juan Ponce de León y Loayza, the... , Puerto Rico Puerto Rico Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an... |
| 1995 | Bronze | 1995 CentroBasket Championship | Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic |
| 1997 | Silver | 1997 CentroBasket Championship 1997 Centrobasket This page shows the results of the 1997 Men's Central American and Caribbean Basketball Championship, also known as the 1997 Centrobasket, which was held in the city of Tegucigalpa, Honduras from May 25 to June 1, 1997... |
Tegucigalpa Tegucigalpa Tegucigalpa , and commonly referred as Tegus , is the capital of Honduras and seat of government of the Republic, along with its twin sister Comayagüela. Founded on September 29, 1578 by the Spanish, it became the country's capital on October 30, 1880 under President Marco Aurelio Soto... , Honduras |
| 1999 | Silver | 1999 CentroBasket Championship 1999 Centrobasket This page shows the results of the 1999 Men's Central American and Caribbean Basketball Championship, also known as the 1999 Centrobasket, which was held in the city of Havana, Cuba from May 4 to May 9, 1999... |
Havana, Cuba |
| 2001 | Gold | 2001 CentroBasket Championship 2001 Centrobasket This page shows the results of the 2001 Men's Central American and Caribbean Basketball Championship, also known as the 2001 Centrobasket, which was held in the city of Toluca, Mexico from July 11 to July 15, 2001... |
Toluca Toluca Toluca, formally known as Toluca de Lerdo, is the state capital of Mexico State as well as the seat of the Municipality of Toluca. It is the center of a rapidly growing urban area, now the fifth largest in Mexico. It is located west-southwest of Mexico City and only about 40 minutes by car to the... , Mexico |
| 2003 | Gold | 2003 CentroBasket Championship 2003 Centrobasket This page shows the results of the Men's Central American and Caribbean Basketball Championship, also known as the 2003 Centrobasket, which was held in the city of Culiacán, Mexico from June 17 to June 22, 2003.-Competing nations:-Preliminary round:... |
Culiacán Culiacán Culiacán is a city in northwestern Mexico, the largest city in the state of Sinaloa as well as its capital and capital of the municipality of Culiacán. With 675,773 inhabitants in the city , and 858,638 in the municipality, it is the largest city in the state of Sinaloa... , Mexico |
| 2004 | Silver | 2004 CentroBasket Championship 2004 Centrobasket This page shows the results of the 2004 Men's Central American and Caribbean Basketball Championship, also known as the 2004 Centrobasket, which was held in the city of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic from July 7 to July 11, 2004.-Competing nations:... |
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic |
| 2006 | Bronze | 2006 CentroBasket Championship 2006 Centrobasket The 2006 Men's Central American and Caribbean Basketball Championship, also known as 2006 Centrobasket, was hosted in Panama City, Panama. The ATLAPA Convention Center in Panama City served as the venue for all the games... |
Panama City, Panama |
| 2008 | Gold | 2008 CentroBasket Championship 2008 Centrobasket The 2008 Men's Central American and Caribbean Basketball Championship, also known as 2008 Centrobasket, was hosted in Cancún and Chetumal, México... |
Cancún Cancún Cancún is a city of international tourism development certified by the UNWTO . Located on the northeast coast of Quintana Roo in southern Mexico, more than 1,700 km from Mexico City, the Project began operations in 1974 as Integrally Planned Center, a pioneer of FONATUR Cancún is a city of... , Mexico |
| 2010 | Gold | 2010 CentroBasket Championship 2010 Centrobasket The 2010 Men's Central American and Caribbean Basketball Championship, also known as 2010 Centrobasket, was hosted in the Dominican Republic. This edition was the first time that the Centrobasket featured ten teams in the finals; previously, eight teams had qualified. Puerto Rico won the title... |
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic |
Puerto Rico has a great record at the CentroBasket Championships, having participated in all of them but 1967, and obtaining a medal in all.
| Total | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 8 | 3 | 20 |
Central American and Caribbean Games
| Year | Position | Tournament | Host |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1926 | – | 1926 Central American and Caribbean Games | Mexico City Mexico City Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole... , Mexico |
| 1930 | – | 1930 Central American and Caribbean Games | Havana Havana Havana is the capital city, province, major port, and leading commercial centre of Cuba. The city proper has a population of 2.1 million inhabitants, and it spans a total of — making it the largest city in the Caribbean region, and the most populous... , Cuba |
| 1935 | Bronze | 1935 Central American and Caribbean Games | San Salvador, El Salvador |
| 1938 | ? | 1938 Central American and Caribbean Games | Panama City, Panama |
| 1946 | ? | 1946 Central American and Caribbean Games | Barranquilla Barranquilla Barranquilla is an industrial port city and municipality located in northern Colombia, near the Caribbean Sea. The capital of the Atlántico Department, it is the largest industrial city and port in the Colombian Caribbean region with a population of 1,148,506 as of 2005, which makes it Colombia's... , Colombia |
| 1950 | ? | 1950 Central American and Caribbean Games | Guatemala City, Guatemala |
| 1954 | Bronze | 1954 Central American and Caribbean Games | Mexico City Mexico City Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole... , Mexico |
| 1959 | Silver | 1959 Central American and Caribbean Games | Caracas, Venezuela |
| 1962 | Gold | 1962 Central American and Caribbean Games | Kingston Kingston, Jamaica Kingston is the capital and largest city of Jamaica, located on the southeastern coast of the island. It faces a natural harbour protected by the Palisadoes, a long sand spit which connects the town of Port Royal and the Norman Manley International Airport to the rest of the island... , Jamaica |
| 1966 | Gold | 1966 Central American and Caribbean Games | San Juan San Juan, Puerto Rico San Juan , officially Municipio de la Ciudad Capital San Juan Bautista , is the capital and most populous municipality in Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 395,326 making it the 46th-largest city under the jurisdiction of... , Puerto Rico Puerto Rico Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an... |
| 1970 | Bronze | 1970 Central American and Caribbean Games | Panama City, Panama |
| 1974 | Silver | 1974 Central American and Caribbean Games | Santo Domingo Santo Domingo Santo Domingo, known officially as Santo Domingo de Guzmán, is the capital and largest city in the Dominican Republic. Its metropolitan population was 2,084,852 in 2003, and estimated at 3,294,385 in 2010. The city is located on the Caribbean Sea, at the mouth of the Ozama River... , Dominican Republic |
| 1978 | Gold | 1978 Central American and Caribbean Games | Medellin, Colombia |
| 1982 | Silver | 1982 Central American and Caribbean Games | Havana Havana Havana is the capital city, province, major port, and leading commercial centre of Cuba. The city proper has a population of 2.1 million inhabitants, and it spans a total of — making it the largest city in the Caribbean region, and the most populous... , Cuba |
| 1986 | Silver | 1986 Central American and Caribbean Games | Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic |
| 1990 | Silver | 1990 Central American and Caribbean Games | Mexico City Mexico City Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole... , Mexico |
| 1993 | Gold | 1993 Central American and Caribbean Games | Ponce Ponce, Puerto Rico Ponce is both a city and a municipality in the southern part of Puerto Rico. The city is the seat of the municipal government.The city of Ponce, the fourth most populated in Puerto Rico, and the most populated outside of the San Juan metropolitan area, is named for Juan Ponce de León y Loayza, the... , Puerto Rico Puerto Rico Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an... |
| 1998 | ? | 1998 Central American and Caribbean Games | Maracaibo, Venezuela |
| 2002 | Silver | 2002 Central American and Caribbean Games | San Salvador, El Salvador |
| 2006 | Gold | 2006 Central American and Caribbean Games Basketball at the 2006 Central American and Caribbean Games Basketball in the 2006 Central American and Caribbean Games took place in the Coliseo Cubierto Base Naval in Cartagena, Colombia from the July 16 to July 22 for women and July 24 to July 30 for men. Each competition had 6 teams.-First Round:... |
Cartagena Cartagena, Colombia Cartagena de Indias , is a large Caribbean beach resort city on the northern coast of Colombia in the Caribbean Coast Region and capital of Bolívar Department... , Colombia |
| 2010 | Gold | 2010 Central American and Caribbean Games Basketball at the 2010 Central American and Caribbean Games The Basketball competition at the 2010 Central American and Caribbean Games was held in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico.The men's tournament was scheduled to be held from 24–30 July, the women's tournament was scheduled to be held from 18–23 July at the Palacio de Recreación y Deportes, the Raymond Dalmau... |
Mayagüez Mayagüez, Puerto Rico Mayagüez is the eighth-largest municipality of Puerto Rico. Originally founded as "Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria" it is also known as "La Sultana del Oeste" , "Ciudad de las Aguas Puras" , or "Ciudad del Mangó"... , Puerto Rico Puerto Rico Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an... |
Since its basketball debut in the 1935 Games, Puerto Rico has only failed to medal in the 1938, 1946, 1950, and 1998 Games. The team has a total of 15 medals.
| Total | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 6 | 3 | 15 |
CaribeBasket ChampionshipFIBA CBC ChampionshipThe CBC Championship or Caribebasket is a FIBA-sponsored basketball tournament where national teams from the Caribbean participate. These countries make up Caribbean Basketball Confederation...
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| Year | Position | Tournament | Host |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Gold | 2007 CaribeBasket Championship | Caguas Caguas, Puerto Rico Caguas , founded in 1775, is a city and municipality of Puerto Rico located in the Central Mountain Range of Puerto Rico, south of San Juan and Trujillo Alto, west of Gurabo and San Lorenzo, east of Aguas Buenas, Cidra, and Cayey.... , Puerto Rico Puerto Rico Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an... |
Since the founding of the CaribeBasket tournament in 1981 as a CentroBasket qualification stage for Caribbean countries, Puerto Rico has only participated in the 2007 tournament, after failing to classify directly to CentroBasket 2008. In this tournament, it won all round one games by over 25 points and went on to win gold.
Goodwill Games
| Year | Position | Tournament | Host |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | 13 | 1986 Goodwill Games | Moscow, Soviet Union Soviet Union The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991.... |
| 1990 | 6 | 1990 Goodwill Games | Seattle, Washington, United States |
| 1994 | Gold | 1994 Goodwill Games | St. Petersburg, Russia |
| 1998 | 4 | 1998 Goodwill Games | New York City, New York, United States |
| 2001 | – | 2001 Goodwill Games | Brisbane, Australia |
Because the 1986 FIBA 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 World's. For the 2001 games, although scheduled to compete with seven other teams, Puerto Rico was not able to make it to the tournament, being replaced by Mexico, which finished 7th.
Other international events
| Year | Position | Tournament | Host |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 6 | Stankovic Continental Champions Cup 2005 Stankovic Continental Champions' Cup The 2005 Stanković Continental Champions' Cup of the annual Stanković Cup Tournament was held in Beijing from July 26 to July 31.-Participating teams:... |
Beijing, China |
| 2007 | 4 | 2007 Marchand Continental Championship Cup | San Juan San Juan, Puerto Rico San Juan , officially Municipio de la Ciudad Capital San Juan Bautista , is the capital and most populous municipality in Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 395,326 making it the 46th-largest city under the jurisdiction of... , Puerto Rico Puerto Rico Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an... |
| 2008 | 2 | Bamberg Super Cup | Bamberg, Germany |
| 2008 | 2 | Alpos International Cup | Maribor, Slovenia |
| 2008 | 4 | FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Men 2008 The FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Men 2008 was the final qualifying tournament for the 2008 Olympic men's basketball tournament... |
Athens, Greece |
| 2009 | 2 | 2009 Marchand Continental Championship Cup | San Juan San Juan, Puerto Rico San Juan , officially Municipio de la Ciudad Capital San Juan Bautista , is the capital and most populous municipality in Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 395,326 making it the 46th-largest city under the jurisdiction of... , Puerto Rico Puerto Rico Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an... |
| 2011 | 2 | 2011 Marchand Continental Championship Cup | Foz do Iguaçu Foz do Iguaçu Foz do Iguaçu is the 7th largest city in Paraná state, Brazil, with a population of 255,900 inhabitants. It is located approximately 650 km west of Curitiba, Parana's capital city, being the westernmost city in that state... , Brazil |