This was the last Olympic basketball tournament where NBA players were not allowed to participate; FIBA instituted a rule change in 1989 that lifted that restriction, leading to the dominance of 1992's Dream Team.

[1][2] A NOC could enter one men's team with 12 players.

Automatic qualifications were granted to the host country and the winners from the previous edition.

The remaining teams were decided by the continental championships in Asia, Oceania, Africa and Americas and European qualifying tournament.

Last three berths are allocated from European qualifying tournament, held in Netherlands.