MONTEVIDEO (Uruguay) - The South American Basketball Championship, first played in 1930 in Montevideo, Uruguay, is the oldest and longest-running international competition officially recognized by FIBA.
Its origins trace back to 1922, when the Uruguayan Federation spearheaded the creation of the South American Basketball Federation. Eight years later, the tournament was born, during which congresses were held to unify rules, promote the sport’s expansion, and strengthen ties between neighbouring nations.
Unlike other competitions, it was never interrupted by World War II, keeping South America at the forefront of basketball rules and gameplay.
The championship reflects the sport’s evolution, from the early days of outdoor courts, with no half-court line or shot clock, two-handed shooting, and a distinctly amateur spirit. Many anecdotes from those early years stand out.
The first edition in 1930 drew great anticipation, with 5,000 tickets sold out for the Uruguay–Argentina classics. In 1934, at a still-uncovered Luna Park, rain delayed the start by two days.
In 1938, key rules were introduced: inbounding from the baseline after each basket, division of the court into two halves, and 10 seconds to cross midcourt. In 1941, extreme cold suspended play for a day; later, rain forced organizers to dry the court by burning a mixture of wood shavings and fuel.
In 1942, Chile sent a military plane to transport Ecuador, who had announced days earlier they lacked the means to travel. In 1945, the event was staged at Guayaquil’s Huancavilca Stadium, Ecuador, with a 10,000-seat capacity, a cement floor, and an electronic scoreboard brought from the USA. Unlimited substitutions were introduced, and goaltending was regulated.
The points-based classification system, two points for a win, produced unique editions: in 1943, Argentina, Peru, and Uruguay shared the gold; in 1955, Paraguay and Uruguay did the same.
In 1949, the three-second rule arrived, and coaches were allowed to call time-outs. In 1953, disqualification for a fifth foul was implemented, and Peru, following its American coach’s instructions, once held the ball for seven minutes without shooting.
In 1958, the 30-second shot clock was introduced, and the first statistical score sheets appeared; by 1963, they already included assists, then called “basket passes.”
In 1961, the tournament was played in the indoor Maracanãzinho Stadium, before 13,000 spectators, consolidating the South American as a top-tier sporting event.
Between 1939 and 1955, the championship also featured the Free Throw Contest, as prestigious as the tournament itself. In 1942 and 1943, Chile’s Renato Castro won with near-perfect records: 48 and 43 makes out of 50 attempts.
Uruguay dominated the competition until the 1950s; then Brazil took the lead. Argentina always remained in contention, and Venezuela emerged in the later decades. Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay, in that order, are the nations with the most medals.
Across its 47 editions, the South American Championship also served as a qualifier for the FIBA AmeriCup, the FIBA World Cup, and the Olympic Games. More than a tournament, it was a cultural and sporting bridge. Its history shows that in South America, basketball was not only played—it was lived as part of continental identity, leaving a legacy that, even though the competition is no longer held, continues to inspire new generations.
Recently, the FUBB donated to the FIBA Museum the “Copa América” used since 1938—a trophy it had won outright and preserved for over eight decades. For more on the trophy restoration project, click here. ###
About the FIBA Foundation The FIBA Foundation is the social and legacy arm of FIBA that addresses the role of sports, particularly basketball, in society, preserving and promoting basketball’s values and its cultural heritage.
FIBA’s cultural heritage is the heart of the FIBA Foundation’s cultural and historical activities. It is one of the driving forces behind the promotion and dissemination of FIBA’s values.