1998 FIBA World Championship

Updated on Feb 03, 2024

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Dates 29 July – 9 August Assists Shane Heal (4.5) MVP Dejan Bodiroga Host nation Greece		Rebounds José Ortiz (10.5) Start date 1998 Teams 16 Venues 2

Points Alberto Herreros (17.88) Similar 1994 FIBA World Championship, 1990 FIBA World Championship, 1978 FIBA World Championship, 1970 FIBA World Championship, 1986 FIBA World Championship

1998 fiba world championship second round lithuania argentina highlights

The 1998 FIBA World Championship was the 13th FIBA World Championship, an international basketball tournament held by the International Basketball Federation and hosted in Greece from 29 July to 9 August 1998. The tournament was contested by 16 nations and the matches were played in two venues in Athens and Piraeus.

Because of the National Basketball Association lockout and unlike the previous championship, the USA Basketball Association was unable to send a team comprised from NBA players, thus causing the American national team roster to be comprised out of professional basketball players playing in Europe and two college players. The tournament was won by Yugoslavia, in their first participation after the breakup of Yugoslavia, defeating 64–62 Russia in the final.

Competing nations

Greece and the United States qualified automatically, the first because of its status as host country, and the latter due to earning a gold medal in the 1996 Summer Olympics.

The remaining places were secured according to the different continental tournaments held in 1997.

Preliminary round

The top three teams in each group advance to the second round, into either Group E or F. The fourth place team in each group moves onto the 13th–16th classification.

Second round

First three teams in each group of the first group phase qualify to the second phase, creating two new groups of six teams. The final standings also take in account the results of previous round matches.