Paris 2024 women's and men's Olympic basketball tournaments draw: Preview, teams and how to watch live
Basketball fans, mark your calendars.
The much-anticipated draws for the women’s and men’s Paris 2024 basketball tournaments will take place during a ceremony at the FIBA headquarters in Mies, Switzerland on Tuesday 19 March, at 19:00 CET (10:00 PST).
Two legends of the game of basketball will host the draws: former NBA superstar Carmelo Anthony of the USA and three-time WNBA champion Penny Taylor of Australia. Anthony is second on the all-time scoring list for Team USA and won gold at the Beijing 2008, London 2012, and Rio 2016 Olympics, as well as bronze at Athens 2004, Taylor also knows just what it takes to succeed on the Olympic stage, having won silver at Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008.
What is the format of the draws for the Paris 2024 Olympic basketball tournaments?
A total of 12 women's and 12 men's teams will compete in the basketball tournaments at Paris 2024. During the draw, these 12 teams will be divided into three groups of four based on the FIBA world rankings and geographical criteria.
When the Paris 2024 basketball tournaments get underway, the top two in each group and the two best third-placed teams will advance to the quarterfinals. From there onwards, the competition follows a classic knockout format until the finals decide the Olympic champions.
Which nations have obtained quotas for the women's basketball tournaments at Paris 2024?
- France (host country)
- United States (2022 World Cup)
- Germany (OQT 3)
- Australia (OQT 3)
- Belgium (OQT 2)
- Canada (OQT 4)
- Spain (OQT 4)
- Japan (OQT 4)
- Nigeria (OQT 2)
- Puerto Rico (OQT 1)
- People’s Republic of China (OQT 1)
- Serbia (OQT 3)
For the women’s competition, all 12 teams have been confirmed following the exciting conclusion of the FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournaments 2024. Team USA obtained a quota following their win at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022, while France secured their quota as host nation. On Tuesday, all 12 teams will find out which opponents they will face at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille, where the Olympic basketball tournament will begin.
Team USA is aiming for its eighth consecutive Olympic gold medal in Paris. The team enters the Games following a stumble, nearly falling to a strong Belgium team led by five-time EuroLeague champion Emma Meesseman at the 2024 FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Belgium. Reigning European champions Belgium are another favourite heading into the Games.
The Women’s Olympic Basketball Tournament at Paris 2024 will begin on 29 July with the final taking place on 11 August.
Which nations have obtained quotas for the women's basketball tournaments at Paris 2024?
- France (host country)
- Germany (2023 World Cup)
- Australia (2023 World Cup)
- Canada (2023 World Cup)
- United States (2023 World Cup)
- Japan (2023 World Cup)
- Serbia (2023 World Cup)
- South Sudan (2023 World Cup)
- TQO 1 winner
- TQO 2 winner
- TQO 3 winner
- TQO 4 winner
In the men’s field, eight of the final 12 teams are already known after they obtained quotas for Paris 2024 at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023. The remaining four quotas will be reserved for the winners of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments 2024, which will be contested by 24 national teams from 2 July to 7 July in Greece, Latvia, Puerto Rico and Spain.
The US men are looking to win their fifth consecutive gold, with an as-of-yet unannounced roster of NBA greats, previous World Cup champions and Olympic gold medallists expected to compete in Paris. So far, a 41-man player pool has been announced with the final roster to be revealed later this year.
Germany obtained a quota for the Games following their 8-0 World Cup streak led by tournament MVP Dennis Schroder and standout player Andreas Obst, who helped earn the nation’s first World Cup title in 2023. Similarly, Serbia will have high hopes at the Olympics following an impressive second-place World Cup finish. And reading themselves to make history, the young nation of South Sudan will compete in their first Olympic tournament.
The Men's Olympic Basketball Tournament at Paris 2024 starts on 27 July with the gold medal games taking place on 10 August.
Pots for the women's Olympic basketball tournament Paris 2024
The 12 teams will be divided into four pots based on the FIBA Women’s World Ranking. In each of the final groups drawn, there will be a minimum of one and a maximum of two teams from Europe. For Africa, Americas, Asia and Oceania, there shall be no more than one team per Continent in each group.
- Pot 1 - USA, People's Republic of China and Australia
- Pot 2 - Spain, Canada and Belgium
- Pot 3 - France, Japan and Serbia
- Pot 4 - Puerto Rico, Nigeria and Germany
You can read more about the women's Olympic basketball draw principles from FIBA.
Pots for the men's Olympic basketball tournament Paris 2024
The Men’s Olympic Basketball Tournament Paris 2024 Draw Principles are based on the FIBA World Ranking, as well as other geographical criteria. The distribution of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments (OQT’s) winners will be based on the best-ranked team at each event. The teams will be divided into four pots based on the FIBA World Ranking Men. In each of the final three groups drawn, there will be a minimum of two and a maximum of three teams from Europe. For Africa, the Americas, Asia and Oceania, there shall be no more than one team per continent in each group.
- Pot 1 - USA, the winner of OQT Spain and Germany
- Pot 2 - Serbia, Australia and the winner of OQT Latvia
- Pot 3 - Canada, France and the winner of OQT Puerto Rico
- Pot 4 - The winner of OQT Greece, Japan and South Sudan
You can read more about the men's Olympic basketball draw principles from FIBA.
How to watch the draws for the Paris 2024 Olympic basketball tournaments
The draw takes place on Tuesday, 19 March at 19:00 CET (10:00 PST) at the Maison du Basketball Patrick Baumann near Mies, Switzerland. The entire event will be broadcast live on the FIBA YouTube channel.