Basketball in Argentina
Basketball was introduced in Argentina in 1912 by the "Asociación Cristiana de Jóvenes" (Young Men's Christians Association – YCMA), with the first Federation created in 1921 to organise the competitions. In 1929, the Argentine Basketball Federation ("Confederación Argentina de Basketball") was established. The body currently controls the Argentina national team.
History of the Argentina national basketball team
After the 1986 World Championship, Flor Meléndez took the team to win the gold medal in the 1987 South American Championship held in Asunción (Paraguay). It was the first title for Argentina since 1979. After that victory and a poor participation in the 1987 Panamerican Games, Meléndez left his coaching position and was replaced by Alberto Finguer. With the new coach, Argentina finished 8th (among 10 teams) in the 1989 FIBA Americas Championship. Nonetheless, the team qualified directly for the 1990 FIBA World Championship as the host nation.