The world’s best men’s basketball teams will compete at the 2024 Paris Olympics from July 27 to August 10. The United States is the favorite to appear with a big name that will be hard to stop. They are again aiming for gold for the 17th time.
The United States has been the dominant force in men’s basketball at the Olympics, winning 16 gold medals and winning the last four Olympics in a row.
The U.S. roster will be full of NBA All-Stars, MVPs and Olympic champions. The squad will be led by 39-year-old LeBron James, who is returning to international action for the first time since the 2012 London Olympics.
Another big name on the team is four-time NBA champion Stephen Curry. It will be his Olympic debut. Three-time gold medalist Kevin Durant is also on the team.
Not only that, there is Jayson Tatum who just won the 2024 NBA title with the Boston Celtics. LeBron James admitted that he can’t wait to appear with fellow NBA superstar Steph Curry.
“It’s a great feeling to be playing with one of the greatest players to ever play the game,” James was quoted as saying by the Olympics website.
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“It’s easy to come together when you have one common goal, and the only common goal for us is to play hard and win the gold medal,” he added.
The US is in Group C in the preliminary round and will face Serbia, South Sudan and Puerto Rico.
James and his teammates were fresh off a warm-up against South Sudan in London. South Sudan will be making its first appearance at the Olympics. James scored 25 points, including a last-second winner to give the U.S. a 101-100 win.
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“I’ll be honest, I like that one better than the blowout one. At least we got a test,” James was quoted as saying by the NBA.
In Paris, there will be 12 teams divided into three groups of four teams each. The group stage will take place at the Pierre Mauroy Stadium in Lille and the knockout stage will be held at the Bercy Arena in Paris.
Although the United States is the favorite, hosts France and 2023 World Cup champions Germany are also among the contenders.
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Les Bleus had a poor showing at the 2023 FIBA World Cup. However, this time they will have more support as hosts. France will also be strengthened by the young rising star Victor Wembanyama.
The 20-year-old is fresh off his rookie season in the NBA, winning Rookie of the Year honors and being named to the All-Defensive First Team. Paris 2024 will be Wembanyama’s first Olympics.
France is in Group B with Germany, Japan and Brazil. Group A is occupied by Australia, Greece, Canada and Spain. (Z-6)
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