The women's tournament in basketball at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul began on 19 September and ended on 29 September.

A NOC could enter one women'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 a tournament held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia where the top six teams earned a spot.

Each team had a roster of twelve players.