Olympic Men's Basketball 12-Nation Field Completed
Crowning Croatia, France and Serbia champions of FIBA's (International Basketball Federation) three men's Olympic Qualifying Tournaments, the 12-nation field is now complete for the 2016 Olympic Games men’s basketball competition the will be held Aug. 6-21 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Defending Olympic champion United States (2014 FIBA World Cup gold medalist) was previously drawn into Group A, along with 2015 FIBA Oceania gold medalist Australia, 2015 FIBA Asia gold medalist China and 2015 FIBA Americas gold medalist Venezuela. Added to Group A were France, winner of the 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Manila, Philippines, and Serbia, winner of the 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Belgrade, Serbia.
The field for Group B contains 2015 FIBA Americas silver medalist Argentina, host country Brazil, 2015 FIBA Europe silver medalist Lithuania, 2015 FIBA Africa gold medalist Nigeria, 2015 FIBA Europe gold medalist Spain and Croatia, winner of the 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Turin, Italy.
The American men will open 2016 Olympic preliminary round play on Saturday, Aug. 6 facing China (6 p.m. EDT), then will meet Venezuela on Aug. 8 (6 p.m. EDT), Australia on August 10 (6 p.m. EDT), Serbia on Aug. 12 (6 p.m. EDT) and France on Aug.14 (1:15 p.m. EDT).
The top four finishing teams from each of the two preliminary round groups will advance to the quarterfinals on Aug. 17, with the quarterfinals winners playing in the semifinals on Aug. 19 and the gold and bronze medal games being held on Aug. 21.
Members of the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team, which is seeking a third consecutive Olympic title, include: Carmelo Anthony (New York Knicks/Syracuse); Harrison Barnes (Dallas Mavericks/North Carolina); Jimmy Butler (Chicago Bulls/Marquette); DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento Kings/Kentucky); DeMar DeRozan(Toronto Raptors/USC); Kevin Durant (Golden State Warriors/Texas); Paul George (Indiana Pacers/Fresno State); Draymond Green (Golden State Warriors/Michigan State); Kyrie Irving (Cleveland Cavaliers/Duke); DeAndre Jordan (Los Angeles Clippers/Texas A&M); Kyle Lowry (Toronto Raptors/Villanova); and Klay Thompson (Golden State Warriors/Washington State).
The 2016 USA coaching staff is led by Duke University Hall of Fame mentor Mike Krzyzewski, who since being named in 2005 head mentor of the USA National Team program has compiled a spectacular 75-1 record and led the USA to 2008 and 2012 Olympic gold medals and 2010 and 2014 FIBA World Cup titles. He will be assisted by Syracuse University Hall of Fame mentor Jim Boeheim, Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Tom Thibodeau and Monty Williams.