Women's Olympic basketball tournament draw: Group C headlines with the USA, Belgium and Japan
FIBA announced its draw for women's basketball at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on Tuesday 19 March, and the groups offer a feast of games for basketball fans. Group C stands out in particular, with the US, Germany, Belgium and Japan.
The US, winners of every gold medal going back to Atlanta 1996, will be tested in the group stage. Their first game, against Japan, to be contested on 29 July in Lille, France, will be a rematch of the gold medal game at Tokyo 2020. Then on 1 August, the US will face Belgium, who gave the Americans a difficult test in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament earlier this year in Antwerp.
France will be playing in Group B, which also features Australia, currently ranked third by FIBA, and Canada, ranked fifth. Australia and Canada faced off in the 2022 FIBA World Cup bronze medal game, with the Aussies coming out ahead. The People's Republic of China is the highest-ranked team out of Group A, but none of the other teams should be counted out.
Paris 2024 women's Olympic basketball tournament groups
Group A: Serbia, Spain, People’s Republic of China, Puerto Rico
Group B: Canada, Nigeria, Australia, France
Group C: Germany, United States, Japan, Belgium
Penny Taylor: 'There are no pushovers in this group'
WNBA legend Penny Taylor and NBA star Carmelo Anthony hosted the draw for the women's tournament on Tuesday 19 March. Taylor is a legend in Australian basketball, having won two silver medals for the Opals.
"I have so much confidence in Australia and what they always bring to these tournaments; their level of preparation and their level of experience, and their fight. I know we’re going to go out there and fight in the best way possible, so I'm always excited to watch that," Taylor said in the press conference before the draw.
"The group does play a big part of it because it prepares you for those later games, but it's also a really testing environment, getting the nerves out early, making sure you’re at your best when it matters."
After the draw, group C, which includes nine-time Olympic champions the USA, reigning European champions Belgium and six-time Asia Cup winners Japan, stood out to Taylor.
"Every group has their level of difficulty, but I think the USA, Belgium, and Japan in one group—that's challenging. But like I said: if you want to win, you've got to play all those teams at some point. So maybe it's a good thing to play them early when you're fresh. It just depends on how you look at it. But that's a tough group right there."
When asked about a dark horse for the Olympic basketball tournament, Taylor said Puerto Rico could be the team.
"I was actually really impressed with Puerto Rico and what they were able to do and how the team has come together. They have some really great players playing in Europe right now that I've been watching, and I've been impressed by their level of skill and talent, so it'll be exciting to see how they do on this bigger stage."
Anthony was also impressed with the women's draw but admitted that the competition in all the groups would be strong at Paris 2024.
"The women's draw was amazing. It's the United States' to lose as well on the women's side, but the teams in their group are no pushovers. It's the same thing as the men's side. There are no pushovers in those groups," he said.