The men’s basketball field for the 2016 Rio Olympics is set, and the 12 teams have been broken into two groups for competitions.
2016 Rio Olympics men’s basketball field set
The field of 12 teams has been named and includes two medal winners from 2012
Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images
The final three teams — France, Serbia and Croatia — earned spots by winning qualifying tournaments Saturday and Sunday.
The teams have been separated into Group A and Group B with the former consisting of the United States, Australia, China, Venezuela, France and Serbia and group B containing Brazil, Lithuania, Spain, Nigeria, Argentina and Croatia.
We have now completed the official Draw of the #Rio2016 Men's Olympic #Basketball Tournament! pic.twitter.com/6eEYcbVBab
— FIBA (@FIBA) July 10, 2016
The United States has won gold in the past two Olympics in 2008 (Beijing) and 2012 (London). Spain won silver in 2012, while Russia, which did not make this year’s field, earned bronze.
Teams that return this year that were in London include Argentina (fourth place in 2012), Brazil (fifth), France (sixth), Australia (seventh), Lithuania (eighth), Nigeria (10th) and China (12th).
This year’s U.S. Olympic team roster includes: Jimmy Butler (guard, Chicago Bulls), Kevin Durant (forward, Golden State Warriors), DeAndre Jordan (center, Los Angeles Clippers), Kyle Lowry (guard, Toronto Raptors), Harrison Barnes, (forward, Dallas Mavericks), DeMar DeRozan (guard, Raptors), Kyrie Irving (guard, Cleveland Cavaliers), Klay Thompson (guard, Warriors), DeMarcus Cousins (center, Sacramento Kings), Paul George (forward, Indiana Pacers), Draymond Green (forward, Warriors) and Carmelo Anthony (forward, New York Knicks).
The United States’ first game will be Aug. 6 when they face China.
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