So, the Olympics are happening, but some basketball teams are still MIA?
You got it! While most Olympic sports have already picked their teams, men’s basketball saves the drama for last. Four spots are up for grabs, and 24 teams are battling it out in a last-ditch effort to make it to Paris 2024.
Okay, tell me more about these tournaments. When and where are they happening?
From July 2nd to 7th, four countries will host these high-stakes showdowns:
- Greece 🇬🇷
- Latvia 🇱🇻
- Puerto Rico 🇵🇷
- Spain 🇪🇸
Each tournament has six teams, split into two groups of three. The teams play each other within their groups, and the top two teams from each group advance to the semi-finals. The semi-final winners duke it out in the final, and boom—the winner punches their ticket to Paris!
Why are these games happening so late? Don’t they know the Olympics are coming up fast?
It seems crazy, right? Here’s the deal: this late qualification is all about giving more teams a shot at Olympic glory. It’s like an extended playoff round, based on the recent FIBA World Cup rankings. Plus, this late date means the biggest stars in the NBA can actually play, making the tournaments extra exciting.
Speaking of stars, who should I be watching?
Oh, it’s a loaded lineup! Get ready for Luka Doncic (Slovenia), Giannis Antetokounmpo (Greece), Domantas Sabonis (Lithuania), and Nikola Vucevic (Montenegro). NBA fans will recognize names like Buddy Hield and DeAndre Ayton (Bahamas), Eric Gordon (Bahamas), Jeremy Sochan (Poland), and Ivica Zubac (Croatia).
Is anyone famous sitting this one out?
Sadly, yes. Kristaps Porzingis (Latvia) and Al Horford (Dominican Republic) are out, fresh off their NBA championship win. Finland’s Lauri Markkanen and the Dominican Republic’s Karl-Anthony Towns are also absent.
Where can I watch all this action go down?
You’ve got options! Check your local TV listings to see if they’re broadcasting the games. But the easiest way to catch all the action is through live streaming.
So, to sum it up…
Get ready for some intense basketball action as 24 teams leave it all on the court for a chance at Olympic glory! It’s going to be a wild ride to see who joins the eight already qualified teams in Paris.