Whereas we’re nonetheless just a few weeks away from the 2024 Paris Olympics, we now know which 12 groups will truly compete for an opportunity to win gold.
Seven groups, together with USA and Canada, certified for the 2024 Olympics in Paris based mostly on their efficiency on the 2023 FIBA World Cup. France earned qualification as a bunch nation, bumping that quantity as much as eight.
24 extra international locations competed for the ultimate spots in Olympic competitors throughout 4 qualifying tournaments. The winners had been Spain, Greece, Brazil, and Puerto Rico and all will advance to play throughout the Olympics.
A number of the most notable nations who won’t compete in Paris embody Latvia, Argentina, Lithuania, Slovenia, Italy, and Poland.
Workforce USA enters the match as the favourite to win all of it, however the odds counsel different groups are shut than you would possibly assume. The video games start July 27 and prolong till August 10. Right here we go!
World rankings are based mostly on efficiency throughout earlier competitors, decided by FIBA.
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WORLD RANKING: 33
GROUP: C
The largest underdog to seem within the Olympics is South Sudan, who earned a qualification throughout the 2023 FIBA World Cup. They noticed incredible video games from Carlik Jones (a former NBA guard who performed in China final season) and Wenyen Gabriel (who performed within the NBA from 2018 till final yr) throughout the match. This roster is now deeper after including Bol Bol, Thon Maker, Makur Maker, and one other yr of improvement for Khaman Maluach (a projected lottery decide within the 2025 NBA Draft).
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WORLD RANKING: 26
GROUP: B
Los Angeles Lakers ahead Rui Hachimura is essentially the most recognizable participant on the roster for Japan, who earned a spot within the Olympics throughout the 2023 FIBA World Cup. Hachmiura was unable to play for his nation throughout the match, citing exhaustion after the playoffs, however Joshua Hawkinson and NCAA star Keisei Tominaga each carried out nicely.
(Picture by RICARDO ARDUENGO/AFP by way of Getty Photos)
WORLD RANKING: 16
GROUP: C
The center and soul of this workforce from Puerto Rico is New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado. He led the squad to earn a spot within the Olympics throughout one of many qualifying tournaments and he appears to be like to carry a few of that scrappy identification to Paris. Tremont Waters, drafted by the Celtics in 2019 however now taking part in professionally in Puerto Rico, is one other participant value monitoring.
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WORLD RANKING: 12
GROUP: B
One other standout performer throughout the Olympic Qualifying Tournaments was Bruno Caboclo from Brazil. As soon as a first-round decide within the 2014 NBA Draft, he’s now taking part in abroad in Europe. However on this competitors, he’s value listening to whereas on the court docket. One other title to control is Gui Santos, chosen by the Warriors within the 2022 NBA Draft and now on a long-term take care of the franchise.
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WORLD RANKING: 2
GROUP: A
Regardless of years of success on the worldwide circuit, Spain wanted to claw its technique to the Olympics throughout current qualifying tournaments. However a number of the standout gamers throughout these competitions included Spain’s Willy Hernangomez, Santi Aldama, and Usman Garuba. Whereas this workforce nonetheless has some acquainted names like Rudy Fernandez, they’re not fairly on the identical stage as they as soon as had been.
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WORLD RANKING: 5
GROUP: A
Probably the most attention-grabbing groups that certified for the Olympics throughout the 2023 FIBA World Cup was Australia. They’ve an enchanting mix of younger expertise like Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels in addition to veterans like Patty Mills, Joe Ingles, and Matthew Dellavedova.
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WORLD RANKING: 3
GROUP: 5
Germany was capable of win the 2023 FIBA World Cup, defeating Workforce USA within the course of. Led by Dennis Schröder (who earned MVP honors on the 2023 FIBA World Cup) in addition to brothers Franz and Moritz Wagner of the Orlando Magic, it is a roster that has performed collectively for fairly a while and has established continuity and chemistry. They’re critical contenders right here to make one other run in France.
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WORLD RANKING: 14
GROUP: A
Greece’s Giannis Antetokounmpo lately led his nation to qualify for the Olympics for the primary time in his basketball profession. Antetokounmpo additionally acquired some assist from Nick Calathes, Georgios Papagiannis, and Thomas Walkup within the course of. However at any time when he’s on the court docket, it’s a matchup nightmare for even the very best defenders.
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WORLD RANKING: 4
GROUP: C
Serbia is led by three-time NBA MVP and 2023 NBA Finals MVP massive man Nikola Jokic, who all the time has an opportunity to guide his workforce to victory at any time when he’s on the court docket. The opposite most notable title on this roster is Bogdan Bogdanovic, who has performed very nicely throughout his worldwide competitions prior to now and earned All-Event honors on the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
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WORLD RANKING: 9
GROUP: B
How are different groups anticipated to attain wherever close to the basket after they have Victor Wembanyama and Rudy Goberrt defending the rim? The 2 gamers have a mixed wingspan of almost 16 ft and are taking part in in entrance of the house crowd in Paris. Wembanyama stated his objective is to lead France previous Workforce USA within the Olympics closing.
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WORLD RANKING: 7
GROUP: A
If there may be one nation that would give a critical run to america, its the neighboring nation of Canada. They’ve a wonderful backcourt duo of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jamal Murray with sturdy gamers on the wing similar to RJ Barrett, Dillon Brooks and Lu Dort. They’re additionally deep with stable function gamers similar to Nickeil-Alexander Walker and Andrew Nembhard.
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