MIES – The United States men’s basketball team, who are the reigning Olympic champions, will have to “come to play” at this summer’s Paris Games where hosts France will be eager to dethrone the 16-time gold medal winners.
Former National Basketball Association (NBA) star forward Carmelo Anthony made that statement on March 19, saying that it would not be a stroll in the park, even for the perennial Olympic champions.
The US will face a strong Serbia team, first-time Olympians South Sudan and the winners of a qualifying tournament in Puerto Rico in July in the Olympic tournament’s Group C, following the draw that was made at the International Basketball Federation (Fiba) headquarters in Switzerland.
“As a country, as Americans, we understand that we have to come to play,” said Fiba ambassador Anthony, who helped the US to three Olympic gold medals and spent most of his NBA career with the Denver Nuggets and the New York Knicks.
“It’s in France. France have a really, really good team. They’re going to be trying to protect their home court and do what they have to do for their own fans and their own country. It’s going to be exciting.”
France – who lost the final to the US by five points at the 2020 Tokyo Games and are still seeking an Olympic title after finishing second three times – will face Germany, Japan and the winners of a qualifying tournament in Latvia in Group B.
Four slots in the men’s draw have been reserved for the winners of the Fiba Olympic qualifying tournaments that will be held from July 2 to 7 in Latvia’s Riga, Valencia in Spain, Piraeus in Greece and Puerto Rico’s San Juan.
The US will be coached by Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr and are seeking a fifth consecutive gold medal, while their women counterparts will be coached by Cheryl Reeve – president of basketball operations for the Minnesota Lynx of the Women’s National Basketball Association.
Both teams are ranked No. 1 in the world.
In the women’s tournament, the United States – the nine-time Olympic champions who like their male counterparts won gold at the Tokyo Games – will play Germany, Japan and Belgium in the group stage.
“They’re at the pinnacle of the game,” Penny Taylor, who helped Australia win Olympic silver medals at the 2004 and 2008 Games, said of the Americans who are seeking their eighth consecutive title.
“I think every group has its level of difficulty.
“But I think obviously the US, Belgium and Japan in one group, that’s a challenge.”
The Paris 2024 Olympics will run from July 26 to Aug 11, with the Paralympics to be held from Aug 28 to Sept 8. REUTERS
