Basketball at the 1968 Summer Olympics

Automatic qualifications were granted to the host country and the first five places at the previous tournament. Additional spots were decided by various continental tournaments held by FIBA plus two additional tournaments that granted two extra berths each. ==Format==

• Two groups of eight teams are formed, where the top two from each group compete for the medals in a knockout round. • The remaining places are defined as follows: • Fifth through eighth places are decided in a separate bracket between the third and fourth places from each group in a separate bracket. • Ninth through sixteenth places are decided between the fifth through eighth places from each group in separate brackets. ==Squads==

For the team rosters see: ''Basketball at the 1968 Summer Olympics – Men's team rosters''. ==Preliminary round==

The top two teams from each group advance to the semifinals, while the remaining teams compete for 5th through 16th places in separate brackets. Both group leaders, the United States and the Soviet Union advanced undefeated to the knockout stage. Group A October 13 October 14 October 15 October 16 October 18 October 19 October 20 Group B October 13 October 14 October 15 October 16 October 18 October 19 October 20 ==Knockout stage ==

The much anticipated final between the United States and the Soviet Union would have to wait four years. Yugoslavia stunned the Soviets 63–62 in the semifinals. In the championship game the Americans had a slim 32-29 lead at intermission but put the game out of reach with a 22-3 streak to start the second half. Medal bracket Classification brackets 5th–8th Place 9th–12th Place 13th–16th Place ==Awards==