1978 in basketball

Men's Division

 * 1978 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Quezon City and Manila:
 * (win world title via OT, 82–81)
 * 1978 FIBA Oceania Championship in New Zealand:
 * (wins Best-of-3 series, 2–1)
 * AfroBasket 1978 in Dakar:
 * (Win African title, 103–72)
 * AfroBasket 1978 in Dakar:
 * (Win African title, 103–72)
 * (Win African title, 103–72)

Women's Division

 * 1978 FIBA Asia Women's Cup in Kuala Lumpur:

Youth Division

 * 1978 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship in Italy:
 * (Win European title, 104–100)

Regular Season MVP
Bill Walton, Portland Trail Blazers

NBA Finals MVP
Wes Unseld, Washington Wizards
 * CSP Limoges were promoted to the first division of the French championship (future Pro A)

Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

 * Class of 1978:
 * Paul Arizin
 * Joe Fulks
 * Cliff Hagan
 * Jim Pollard

Births

 * February 14 - Richard Hamilton, NBA player
 * May 13 - Mike Bibby, NBA player
 * June 19 — Dirk Nowitzki, NBA player
 * August 23 — Kobe Bryant, NBA player (died 2020)
 * September 9 - Shane Battier, NBA player
 * December 2 - Jason Collins, NBA player

Deaths

 * May 8 — Chuck Hyatt, 70, American Hall of Fame college player (Pittsburgh).
 * June 6 — Paul Lambert, 43, American college coach (Pittsburg State, Hardin–Simmons, Southern Illinois).
 * June 30 — Bob Matheny, 49, All-American college player (California)
 * August 15 — Mike Novak, 63, American NBA, BAA and NBL player.
 * September 11 — Omar Browning, 66, American AAU player and coach of the 1948 Olympic champions.
 * September 24 — Bob Kramer, 56, American NBL player (Oshkosh All-Stars, Youngstown Bears).
 * September 28 — Neil Johnston, 49, American Hall of Fame player (Philadelphia Warriors).
 * November 11 — Bennie Borgmann, 77, American Hall of Fame player (Original Celtics).