USA Ranks No. 1 Across The Board In New FIBA Rankings

-- USA Ranks No. 1 For Combined, Men's, Women's, Boys And Girls FIBA World Rankings --

Sept. 17, 2010 • Geneva, Switzerland

Following the 2010 FIBA World Championship for Men which concluded Sept. 12 in Istanbul, Turkey, FIBA, the International Basketball Federation, announced it had launched a completely new world ranking system. The USA currently ranks No. 1 in all categories, including the new youth rankings for boys and girls which have been added in the new world ranking system.

“It is a tribute to the outstanding players and coaches who have been involved in our programs, and a testament to the commitment and hard work they have given” USA Basketball CEO/Executive Director Jim Tooley said. “Not only has USA Basketball been able to attract and involve at all levels the best players and coaches in our country to achieve this unprecedented success on the court, but our teams have represented our nation and the sport of basketball with respect, honor and dignity.”

“This is an extraordinary accomplishment for USA Basketball and its men’s and women’s programs,” said USA Basketball Chairman Jerry Colangelo. “It really is a remarkable achievement when you think about the United States currently being the men’s and women’s Olympic champs, the men’s world champion, the men’s and women’s U19 and U17 FIBA world champs, and the men’s and women’s U18 and U16 FIBA Americas champions.”

USA Basketball teams were flawless this past summer. The USA Men’s World Championship Team finished 9-0 to claim its USA’s first FIBA World Championship title since 1994, the USA Men’s U17 Team captured the FIBA U17 World Championship in Germany with an unblemished 8-0 record, and the USA U18 squad collected the FIBA Americas U18 title with a perfect 5-0 mark. On the women’s side, the USA women finished 9-0 to collect gold at the FIBA World Championship in the Czech Republic, and also claimed the FIBA U17 World Championship crown in France with an 8-0 record, and the USA women also won the FIBA Americas U18 Championship with a 5-0 mark.

For the first time ever, the U19 and U17 FIBA World Championships for Boys and Girls as well as all U16 and U18 zone championships weigh in to determine the new FIBA world rankings for Boys and Girls.

The new FIBA world ranking system now includes five categories: Men, Women, Boys, Girls and a Combined World Ranking that takes into account results from all genders and all age categories. The new system makes for a more accurate ranking order of the world’s basketball nations.

“I am very happy to see these new and complete world rankings including the youth categories,” said FIBA Secretary General Patrick Baumann.

“This is a great initiative and one that has been a long time coming. We have to make sure we reward the countries that perform well in youth competitions because the young players coming through the junior ranks are the best investment in the future of basketball.”

“With the new system in place, we can see that the USA have overtaken Argentina in the Men’s Ranking and now top all categories. This is a reflection of the talent and commitment they have both in Men’s and Women’s teams at Junior and Senior level,” Baumann added.

About the FIBA Rankings

The rankings are calculated within the scope of a two Olympic Games cycle (including qualifying competitions at FIBA zone level) and take into consideration all World Championships, Olympic Games and Continental championships events.

Whenever a new championship is played, the oldest championship of that category drops out. The FIBA ranking is then recalculated.

For the complete FIBA ranking in each category as well as the precise method on how it is calculated, visit www.fiba.com.

About USA Basketball

Based in Colorado Springs, Colo., USA Basketball is a nonprofit organization and the national governing body for men's and women's basketball in the United States. As the recognized governing body for basketball in the United States by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), USA Basketball is responsible for the selection, training and fielding of USA teams that compete in FIBA sponsored international basketball competitions, as well as for some national competitions.

USA Basketball is governed by a 10-member Board of Directors, who are appointed and elected by active members. Colangelo serves as Chairman of USA Basketball for the 2009-2012 term. Serving since January 2001 as USA Basketball's CEO/Executive Director is Jim Tooley, who has been with USA Basketball since 1993.

USA Basketball is an organization made up of organizations. There are five member categories – Professional; Collegiate; Scholastic; Youth; and Associate. All told, 25 organizations are members of USA Basketball.

Since the 2008 Olympic Games, USA Basketball men’s and women’s teams have compiled an sterling 87-1 win-loss record in FIBA or FIBA Americas competitions and are the men’s and women's FIBA World Champions; men’s and women’s Olympic Champions; men’s and women’s U19 and U17 FIBA World Champions; and men’s and women’s U18 and U16 FIBA Americas champions.