Can Team USA Maintain Dominance at the 2024 Olympics?
With the Olympic men’s basketball tournament set to begin at the 2024 Paris Games, Team USA is looking to secure a fifth consecutive gold medal. While Team USA remains a heavy favorite, recent exhibition games have highlighted that the competition is stronger than ever. The field of contenders includes several teams capable of challenging the Americans, making this one of the most competitive Olympic basketball tournaments in history.
Team Rankings for the Men’s Basketball Tournament
12. Japan
Japan struggled during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, finishing winless. This year, they qualified by performing well in the FIBA World Cup, placing 19th. Despite a promising win against South Korea, Japan faced significant losses to Germany and Serbia in exhibition games, suggesting they might struggle to compete effectively in Paris.
11. Brazil
Brazil, having not played any exhibition games before the Olympics, enters the tournament with uncertainty. Their strategy to skip warm-ups is unconventional, and while they had a strong showing in the Olympic qualifiers, their lack of recent competitive play could be a disadvantage.
10. Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico qualified for the Olympics after a 20-year absence and will face Team USA in the group stage, reminiscent of their shocking victory in 2004. Despite their potential to surprise, they faced challenges in exhibitions against top teams like Australia and Spain, indicating they might have a tough path ahead.
9. South Sudan
South Sudan has generated excitement by nearly defeating the United States in an exhibition match. They showed promise with victories over Portugal and Great Britain. Although they face a challenging group, including the United States and Serbia, their recent performance suggests they could be a tough opponent.
8. Greece
Greece’s chances could improve with Giannis Antetokounmpo’s presence, though they struggled in exhibition games, including a heavy loss to Serbia. Avoiding top teams like the United States and Serbia in the group stage is beneficial, but they will need to overcome strong competition from Canada, Australia, and Spain.
7. Spain
Spain had a strong pre-Olympic showing, defeating teams like Puerto Rico and Argentina. With a roster that includes current and former NBA players, Spain is well-positioned to challenge in the tournament and should not be underestimated.
6. Australia
Australia, with its NBA talent, demonstrated its capabilities by almost defeating Team USA in an exhibition. They also secured victories over Puerto Rico, Serbia, and France. Led by players like Patty Mills and Josh Giddey, Australia is poised to be a serious contender, following their bronze medal performance in Tokyo.
5. France
As the host nation, France boasts elite defenders Victor Wembanyama and Rudy Gobert. Despite a lackluster performance in exhibitions, France’s home-court advantage and strong roster position them well. Their group stage matchups, including against Brazil and Japan, should provide opportunities to advance.
4. Germany
Germany, the reigning FIBA World Cup champions, has shown strong form, with key players Franz Wagner and Dennis Schroder leading the way. They performed well in exhibitions and should advance through the group stage with ease, making them a strong medal contender.
3. Serbia
Serbia, bolstered by the return of Nikola Jokic, is a formidable opponent. They had impressive showings against France, Japan, and Greece in exhibitions. With a roster featuring Jokic and Bogdan Bogdanovic, Serbia is a top contender for a medal and will be a team to watch.
2. Canada
Canada boasts a roster filled with NBA talent, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jamal Murray. They have performed well in exhibitions and are expected to be a strong competitor in the tournament. Their potential matchups against Greece, Australia, and Spain will be key in determining their success.
1. USA
Despite some shaky performances in exhibition games, Team USA remains the top favorite for the gold medal. With an incredibly talented roster featuring LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and other NBA stars, they have the depth and experience to succeed. While the competition has improved, the U.S. remains the team to beat, though they will need to be at their best to secure victory.
For ongoing coverage of the 2024 Paris Olympics, including medal counts, Team USA updates, and more, visit CBS Sports.
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