2002 FIBA World Championship
The 2002 FIBA World Championship opened its doors in Indianapolis, Indiana. This city hosted the fourteenth edition of the international basketball world championship for men's national teams. The tournament ran from August 29 to the 8th of September 2002. It was organized by the International Basketball Federation. Sixteen teams competed during this two-week period. The host nation received a direct berth into the event without needing qualification.
Sixteen teams qualified through regional tournaments and continental championships. The United States held an automatic spot as the host nation. Their Olympic berth was replaced by an extra qualifying spot assigned to FIBA Americas below. FIBA Asia saw fourteen teams competing for two berths. Twelve teams from Africa fought for two spots. Ten teams from the Americas battled for five berths. Sixteen European teams competed for five places. Two Oceania teams vied for one final slot. The 2001 ABC Championship took place in Shanghai between July 20 and 28. The FIBA Africa Championship occurred in Rabat and Casablanca from August 4 to 12. The FIBA Americas Championship happened in Neuquén from August 16 to 26. EuroBasket 2001 unfolded across Ankara, Antalya, and Istanbul from August 31 to September 9. The FIBA Oceania Championship concluded in Auckland, Wellington, and Hamilton on September 21 to 23.
Matches took place at the Indianapolis RCA Dome and Conseco Fieldhouse. The RCA Dome had a capacity of 57,980 spectators. The Conseco Fieldhouse seated 18,345 fans. These venues hosted all games during the tournament. The large dome accommodated high-attendance matches while the smaller fieldhouse handled other contests. Teams played their preliminary round games across these two locations. Scores like 113, 63 appeared inside the Conseco Fieldhouse. Other results such as 84, 74 were recorded within the RCA Dome. The physical spaces defined the atmosphere for every game played.
The top three teams in each group advanced to the second round. They moved into either Group E or Group F based on their initial performance. The fourth-place team in each group moved onto the 13th, 16th classification bracket. Group A saw scores like 113, 63 and 54, 85 on August 29. Group B featured results including 102, 73 and 78, 75 on the same date. Group C produced outcomes such as 76, 88 and 110, 60. Group D delivered numbers like 90, 81 and 107, 72. These early results determined which nations would face elimination or advancement. The structure ensured that only the strongest progressed to the next phase of competition.
In this stage, the results in the preliminary rounds are combined and the teams who met previously do not play each other a second time. Teams advancing from Group A and Group B formed Group E. Those from Group C and Group D created Group F. The top four from each group advanced to the knockout stages. The bottom two advanced to the Ninth-to-twelfth-place playoffs. Quarterfinals led to semifinals and then the final match between Argentina and Germany. Argentina finished with an 8, 1 record for second place. Germany ended with a 7, 2 record for first place. The tournament concluded with these two nations facing off in the championship game.
Tournament MVP Dirk Nowitzki received the highest individual honor. He averaged 24.0 points per game throughout the event. Victor Díaz followed closely with 22.0 points per game. Yao Ming scored 21.0 points per game on average. Marcelo Machado contributed 20.8 points per game. Paul Pierce added 19.7 points per game. Pau Gasol provided 19.1 points per game. Larry Ayuso averaged 18.7 points per game. Peja Stojaković also reached 18.7 points per game. Phill Jones finished at 18.2 points per game. Fadi El Khatib rounded out the list with 17.6 points per game. Manu Ginóbili, Peja Stojaković, Yao Ming, Dirk Nowitzki, and Pero Cameron made up the all-tournament team.
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Common questions
Where did the 2002 FIBA World Championship take place?
The 2002 FIBA World Championship took place in Indianapolis, Indiana. Matches occurred at the Indianapolis RCA Dome and Conseco Fieldhouse.
When was the 2002 FIBA World Championship held?
The tournament ran from August 29 to the 8th of September 2002. Sixteen teams competed during this two-week period.
Who won the 2002 FIBA World Championship?
Germany finished with a 7, 2 record for first place after defeating Argentina in the final match. Argentina ended with an 8, 1 record for second place.
Which venues hosted games during the 2002 FIBA World Championship?
Matches took place at the Indianapolis RCA Dome and Conseco Fieldhouse. The RCA Dome had a capacity of 57,980 spectators while the Conseco Fieldhouse seated 18,345 fans.
What were the top scoring averages in the 2002 FIBA World Championship?
Tournament MVP Dirk Nowitzki averaged 24.0 points per game throughout the event. Victor Díaz followed closely with 22.0 points per game and Yao Ming scored 21.0 points per game on average.