FIBA Basketball World Cup Memorable Moments: The day Argentina beat USA's NBA stars

MADRID (FIBA Basketball World Cup) - The 4th of September 2002 is a seminal day in the history of international basketball.

In Indianapolis at the FIBA World Championship, Argentina became the first side to beat a United States squad featuring NBA players.

Ruben Magnano's side won, 87-80.

The United States team that was led by coach George Karl had torn apart the opposition in Indianapolis before the Second Round clash with the Argentinians.

They had won their first five contests by an average of 29.6 points per game.

Algeria, Germany, China, Russia and New Zealand had proved to be no match for a USA squad that consisted of Michael Finley, Baron Davis, Andre Miller, Jermaine O'Neal, Antonio Davis, Paul Pierce, Reggie Miller, Shawn Marion, Jason Williams, Ben Wallace, Elton Brand and Raef Lafrentz.

That Argentina would be the team to halt the 58-game winning streak of USA squads with NBA players, in hindsight, was not surprising.

The South Americans were a growing force and had won their first five games in the tournament.

The careers of several Argentinians were just taking off.

Manu Ginobili, Fabricio Oberto, Luis Scola, Andres Nocioni, Ruben Wolkowisky and Pepe Sanchez were in that side that beat the USA.

Argentina led from start to finish, going in front by as many as 20 points in the second quarter.

The USA reduced the deficit to six in the third quarter but got no closer.

Ginobili finished with 15 points, Nocioni 14, Scola 13 and Oberto 11.

Yugoslavia followed that upset with an 81-78 triumph over the United States in the Quarter-Finals to knock them out of medal contention, and Spain also prevailed, 81-75, against the USA in the battle for fifth place.

Argentina came up short of the world title, losing in the Final to Yugoslavia, 84-77.

Two years later, though, and Ginobili led the Argentinians to the gold medal at the Athens Olympics.

FIBA