Qualified Team Focus - USA: The Americans determined to win fifth straight gold (2024)

MIES (Switzerland) - The draw for the Men's Olympic Basketball Tournament Paris 2024 was held on March 19. It is now time to meet the teams that have already qualified for the Olympics with the dream of becoming Olympic champions this summer.

Here is the number 1 team in the FIBA World Ranking Men, presented by Nike, the 16-time Olympic gold medalists United States of America.

USA have been a world superpower at the Olympics, taking the gold medal 16 times in the 20 Olympic Games. The Americans have won the gold the last four Olympics, settling for bronze in 2004. They also won bronze in 1988 and took silver in 1972.

How they qualified

...

USA went to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 ready to finally reclaim the trophy for the first time since 2014. Things were looking good in Asia last summer with four straight wins to start the tournament. Then the Americans lost to Lithuania 110-104 in the final game of the group stage.

USA regrouped in the Knockout Phase to defeat Italy to reach the Semi-Finals. That victory also locked up a spot at Paris 2024 since USA were among the top two placed teams from the Americas region in FIBA's flagship event.

The Americans would probably like to forget the rest of the tournament though, losing to Germany 113-111 in the Semi-Finals and then 127-118 in overtime to Canada in the Third-Place Game to go home empty-handed for the second straight FIBA World Cup.

Record at the Olympics

Qualified Team Focus - USA: The Americans determined to win fifth straight gold (1)

Appearances:19 - 1936 (1st); 1948 (1st); 1952 (1st); 1956 (1st); 1960 (1st); 1964 (1st); 1968 (1st); 1972 (2nd); 1976 (1st); 1984 (1st); 1988 (3rd); 1992 (1st); 1996 (1st); 2000 (1st); 2004 (3rd); 2008 (1st); 2012 (1st), 2016 (1st); 2020 (1st)

Medals:19 -🥇(1936, 1948, 1952, 1956, 1960, 1964, 1968, 1976, 1984, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020)🥈(1972)🥉(1988, 2004)

Last appearance

Qualified Team Focus - USA: The Americans determined to win fifth straight gold (2)

The Tokyo Olympics took place while the Covid pandemic was still affecting the world. The start of the 2020-21 NBA season had been delayed and the playoffs were taking place while other countries were already practicing. USA were already limited in time to work together as a team, and the NBA Finals did not conclude until July 20, meaning three of the USA team members missed the entire training camp and pre-Olympic exhibition games.

Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton from the champions Milwaukee Bucks and Devin Booker from the runners-up Phoenix Suns were on hand for the Americans' first game on July 25, but this was not a close knit group.

And it showed as France defeated USA 83-76 in the opening game of the tournament for the teams, snapping the Americans' 25-game winning streak in the Olympics. It was just the USA's sixth loss in Olympics history. USA would bounce back to ease past Iran and Czech Republic in the other group games and then fend off Spain 95-81 in the Quarter-Finals and down Australia 97-78 in the Semi-Finals.

Waiting in the Gold Medal Game was France - a chance for redemption for the Americans and right the wrongs from the preparations and the first game. Superstar Kevin Durant scored 29 points including two free throws with 8 seconds left to seal the game in an 87-82 victory. Jayson Tatum added 19 points off the bench as USA claimed the gold medal for a fourth straight time.

The 2024 Group Phase

Qualified Team Focus - USA: The Americans determined to win fifth straight gold (3)

The Americans start the Olympics with one of the top games of the Group Phase as they take on Serbia. Two of the biggest nations in world basketball have faced off in massive games in the past including USA's wins over Serbia in the 2014 World Cup Final and the 2016 Olympics gold medal game.

Knowing winning the game most likely means first place in the group, the Serbia - USA matchup should be a great one. It will also include many of the top stars the world game has to offer.

USA will then square off against the ultimate Cinderella with South Sudan being a country that has only existed since 2011 and is making its Olympic debut one summer after debuting at the FIBA Basketball World Cup. And the third game will be against the winner of the Olympic Qualifying Tournament Puerto Rico. The biggest favorites going into that OQT are Italy, Lithuania and Puerto Rico.

USA Group Phase games

vs Serbia (July 28)
vs South Sudan (July 31)
vs Winner OQT Puerto Rico (August 3)

Players to watch

Qualified Team Focus - USA: The Americans determined to win fifth straight gold (4)

USA's superstars started announcing their intentions to play at the Olympics almost directly after the Americans failed to take the title at the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

The USA roster should feature many of the superstars of the NBA including players like LeBron James, Steph Curry, Kawhi Leonard, Damian Lillard, Devin Booker, Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant and James Harden among others.

Qualified Team Focus series

During coming weeks and months, we will continue to check out all teams aiming for a medal at Paris 2024 as part of our Qualified Team Focus series.

FIBA

Qualified Team Focus - USA: The Americans determined to win fifth straight gold (2024)

FAQs

Who is on the USA Olympic basketball team in 2024? ›

USA Basketball finalized its men's roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics. The 12-player roster includes LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Joel Embiid, Jayson Tatum, Kawhi Leonard*, Devin Booker, Jrue Holiday, Anthony Davis, Anthony Edwards, Bam Adebayo, Derrick White and Tyrese Haliburton.

Is the USA in FIBA 2024? ›

The USA officially qualified for the 2024 Olympics as one of the top two nations from the FIBA Americas zone at the 2023 FIBA World Cup in September. The American men will compete for their fifth straight – and 17th overall – Olympic gold medal.

Was basketball always in the Olympics? ›

Basketball at the Summer Olympics has been a sport for men consistently since 1936. Prior to its inclusion as a medal sport, basketball was held as an unofficial demonstration event in 1904 and 1924. Women's basketball made its debut in the Summer Olympics in 1976.

Who is on the team USA for basketball? ›

Team USA men's basketball roster
PlayerPositionNBA team
Bam AdebayoCenterMiami Heat
Devin BookerGuardPhoenix Suns
Stephen CurryGuardGolden State Warriors
Anthony DavisForward/CenterLos Angeles Lakers
8 more rows
Jul 28, 2024

Does Team USA basketball get paid? ›

Olympians don't earn a traditional salary for competing in the Olympics, unlike in other sporting events, but they do receive bonuses if they earn a gold, silver or bronze medal.

How many athletes from the USA are in the Olympics in 2024? ›

According to the list, 637 athletes will represent the United States at the 2024 Olympics, the most of any country. Around 11,000 athletes participated in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, including 613 athletes from Team USA, according to the Olympics website.

Is Jokic going to play in the Olympics? ›

After Serbia missed out on the Tokyo Games, Nikola Jokic is back in the Olympics for the second time. His country qualified for Paris thanks to a second-place finish at last year's FIBA World Cup.

Who won the USA vs Serbia basketball 2024? ›

Serbia led for more than 35 minutes of a 40-minute game, but the U.S. held the advantage when it counted. The final period belonged to Team USA, which outscored Serbia 32-15 to come back and take the lead for good on a Stephen Curry 3-pointer with 2:24 remaining in the 95-91 victory.

Who won World basketball 2024? ›

USA crowned FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2024 champs after defeating Italy. ISTANBUL (Türkiye) - USA defeated Italy 129-88 to win the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2024 championship and complete their mission for a seventh consecutive title.

Has the US ever not won gold in basketball? ›

Still, it marked only the second time that an American team failed to officially win gold (excluding the 1980 Moscow Olympics boycott and ignoring the 1972 debacle), and the first time for an American team composed of NBA players.

Has Team USA ever lost in basketball? ›

2020/21: Off to a shaky start in Tokyo

The U.S. men's basketball team stubbed its collective toe in the opener at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. Seemingly with a safe lead at 74-67, the USA fell apart and lost, 83-76.

Why didn't LeBron play the 2016 Olympics? ›

He skipped the 2016 Rio Games to rest after leading the Cavs to the franchise's first NBA title. He was not on the Tokyo Olympic roster, either, as he rested his ankle that summer.

Why has Steph Curry never played in the Olympics? ›

But the difference is Curry is 36 years old and circumstance, injury and timing have kept him off previous Olympic teams. He plans to treasure this experience.

Is Luka Doncic playing in the 2024 Olympics? ›

Here's why Luka Dončić won't be playing at the 2024 Paris Olympics with Slovenia - Yahoo Sports.

Is Russia in the Olympics? ›

In 2019, Russia was officially banned from the Olympics by the World Anti-Doping Agency for four years, but that ban was shortened to two years after Russia appealed. For the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, the IOC banned Russia and Belarus from participating due to their involvement related to the war in Ukraine.

Is Simone competing in 2024? ›

Gymnastics superstar Simone Biles will anchor three of the four apparatus Tuesday (30 July) as Team USA seeks to reclaim the women's team gold medal at Olympic Games Paris 2024.

Who will be on US Olympic team? ›

Team USA at 2024 Paris Olympics: List of qualified U.S. athletes
  • Archery. Catalina GNoriega. ...
  • Artistic Swimming. Anita Alvarez (Team) ...
  • Badminton. Jennie Gai (mixed doubles) ...
  • Basketball. Cierra Burdick (3x3) ...
  • Beach Volleyball. Kelly Cheng. ...
  • Boxing. Jajaira Gonzalez (60kg) ...
  • Breaking. Sunny Choi. ...
  • Canoe/Kayak. Nevin Harrison (canoe sprint)

Who is the next Team USA basketball Olympics? ›

Team USA's next Olympic men's basketball game will be played vs. South Sudan on Wednesday, July 31, 2024 at 9 p.m. ET (6 p.m. PT). The game will air on USA Network and stream on Peacock and the platforms featured below.

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