The Paris 2024 Olympic Games are fast approaching. This international basketball competition will take place from Saturday, July 27 to Sunday, August 11. The event will be held in France, with the preliminary round in Lille and the quarterfinals onward in Paris.
The Format of Olympic Basketball 2024
For the 2024 edition, the Olympic basketball competition will proceed as follows:
- Three groups of four teams in the preliminary round.
- Final phase with eight teams (the top two teams from each group and the two best third-place teams from the preliminary round qualify), with knockout matches starting from the quarterfinals.
The group compositions for the first phase are not yet known. However, we already know 8 of the 12 teams qualified for the men’s event. The competition will be fierce, featuring France, the United States, Canada, Serbia, Germany, Australia, Japan, and South Sudan.
Group A
- Canada
- Australia
- Winner of Valencia Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT)
- Winner of Piraeus Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT)
Group B
- France
- Germany
- Japan
- Winner of Riga Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT)
Group C
- USA
- Serbia
- South Sudan
- Winner of San Juan Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT)
The last four qualified teams will have to go through a pre-Olympic tournament. Four such tournaments will be organized in four different countries. Each winner of this mini-competition will be awarded a ticket to the 2024 Olympic Games.
The 2024 Basketball Pre-Olympic Tournaments
Here are the teams participating in each pre-Olympic tournament. Note that three of the four tournaments will take place in Europe.
Valencia Pre-Olympic Tournament (Spain)
- Lebanon
- Angola
- Spain
- Finland
- Poland
- Bahamas
Riga Pre-Olympic Tournament (Latvia)
- Georgia
- Philippines
- Latvia
- Brazil
- Cameroon
- Montenegro
Piraeus Pre-Olympic Tournament (Greece)
- Slovenia
- New Zealand
- Croatia
- Egypt
- Greece
- Dominican Republic
San Juan Pre-Olympic Tournament (Puerto Rico)
- Mexico
- Ivory Coast
- Lithuania
- Italy
- Puerto Rico
- Bahrain
Basketball: The Favorites of the 2024 Olympic Games
Several major nations will be among the favorites of the competition. Among them will be the United States, France, Canada, Australia, and Serbia.
United States
Humiliated at the 2019 World Cup by finishing in a disappointing seventh place, Team USA will certainly seek revenge in 2023. Despite a relatively young and inexperienced roster in international basketball, the Americans will be the number one favorites for the 2023 World Cup. The withdrawal of NBA stars from other national teams could make it easier for them to secure the gold.
Canada
As the second most represented nation in the NBA, Canada has immense potential. Most of its stars will be present at the 2023 World Cup. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will be the best point guard in the competition. Notable players also include RJ Barrett, Dillon Brooks, Luguentz Dort, Kelly Olynyk, and Dwight Powell. The Canadian roster will look impressive! If they can find collective chemistry, Canada will be a very dangerous contender for the title.
France
Medaled in the last three major international campaigns, the French team will approach the 2023 World Cup with high ambitions. The competition will be tough, and no opponent will go easy on them. However, given the quality of the roster and their collective experience, the Blues have a shot at achieving their goal.
Australia
The Australian national team will be taken very seriously at the World Cup. The group has a lot of talent and experience. 2023 could be Australia’s year, even if other teams seem better equipped on paper.
The Basketball Stars to Watch at the 2024 Olympic Games
Several national team leaders from the NBA will be particularly noteworthy at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Victor Wembanyama (France)
Victor Wembanyama will play at home during the 2024 Olympics. Expectations for the French team and Wemby will be immense as he competes in his first major international tournament with the Blues. Following a humiliating first-round exit at the last World Cup, Vincent Collet’s men will need to show a much better performance. The NBA rookie of the year has already declared his ambition: to win the gold medal. With fierce competition, the task will be far from easy.
Kevin Durant (USA)
Triple Olympic champion and double NBA champion, Kevin Durant has the chance this summer to strengthen his legend by becoming the only basketball player to win the Olympics four times. Considered a lethal weapon in international basketball, “KD” has made history in his sport. His shooting, agility, and mobility, combined with his height, make him a perfect player in the FIBA context. Adding his vast experience to these qualities, it’s hard to see who could prevent him from having a great tournament.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Canada)
Double All-Star and All-NBA First Team member, the Canadian point guard of the Thunder is one of the best in the world at his position. Averaging 30 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists per game in the NBA, he has shown what he is capable of. He led the Thunder, one of the youngest teams in the North American championship, to the top spot in the Western Conference. Internationally, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander also shined last year at the 2023 World Cup. In his first major competition with his country, he won the bronze medal. This summer in Paris, he will undoubtedly aim for one of the other two medal colors.
Bogdan Bogdanovic (Serbia)
Leader of Serbia at the last World Cup, Bogdan Bogdanovic will again be highly anticipated at the Olympics. Already a silver medalist at the 2016 Olympics, “Bogi” is one of the best shooters on the planet. He can catch fire from three-point range at any moment. His performances will be closely watched by his opponents.
Josh Giddey (Australia)
Despite his young age, the Australian point guard of the Thunder will have great responsibilities at the 2024 Olympics. Averaging 13 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists per game, Giddey has already showcased his talent in the last NBA seasons. He is also the youngest player to record a triple-double in the NBA, surpassing LeBron James.