Team USA Men’s Basketball will officially tip-off their first game in under a month in Rio de Janiero, Brazil. Team USA is looking to defend its 2012 Olympic Basketball Gold Medal but with a seemingly all new cast of characters.
The 2014 FIBA World Cup team was full of stars including Stephen Curry, James Harden, Anthony Davis and Andre Drummond. Two years ago, these guys were supposed to be the next wave of stars for the 2016 Rio Olympics team. Now, none of them are on the team.
Still, without those big names Team USA Men’s Basketball still was able to field a roster of stars that leaves USA as the favorites for the 2016 Rio Olympics gold medal.
Their roster is set and with some international tournaments finishing over the weekend, the official 12 team field is set along with complete schedules.
Team USA Men’s Basketball released an official press release including the final list of the 12 team field for the 2016 Rio Olympics and Team USA’s preliminary schedule while in Rio.
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.
