On November 3, 1950, Argentina became world basketball champion defeating the United States.

The event took place in Buenos Aires from October 22, and all the matches were played at the Luna Park stadium, with a capacity for 20,000 spectators.

The reason behind choosing a South American country as the venue was that European countries were still devastated by World War II. Among the 10 selected teams, Ecuador was invited. Meanwhile, the United States, France and Brazil had been the three best teams in the last Olympic Games, held in London in 1948.

Also, Egypt was as European champion, Spain participated in the Nice qualifying tournament, and Chile was one of the best teams in the South American 1949. Italy had been classified, but for economic reasons Yugoslavia replaced it. On the other hand, Uruguay withdrew from the competition, and its place was taken by Peru.

Directed by Jorge Canavesi, the Albiceleste began the tournament with a victory over France by 56-40. In the final round, the national team played against the Gauls again and won again, this time by 66-41. Brazil by 40 to 35, and Egypt by 68 to 33.

The best player in the championship was Oscar Furlong, who would later win the silver medal at the 1951 and 1955 Pan American Games. Furlong was second in the ranking of top scorers in the competition with 66 points, the first being Chilean Rufino Bernedo with 86, and being described as the best player in the history of his country. The rest of the ideal quintet of the tournament was made up of John Stanich from the United States, Álvaro Salvadores from Spain, and Ricardo González from the national team.

As if that were not enough, Furlong would later dedicate himself to tennis, being captain of the Davis Cup team between 1966 and 1977.

On November 3, 1950, Argentina became world basketball champion by defeating the United States 64-50 in the final match.

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Screenplay by Lucas Boltrino. Locution of Pita Fortín.

by Radio Profile FM 101.9