Most 2012 U.S. Olympic Men’s First Round Opponents Determined

Colorado Springs, Colo. • April 30, 2012

FIBA (International Basketball Federation) conducted the 2012 Olympic Games men’s basketball draw on Monday in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, determining most of the USA’s opponents for the July 29-Aug. 6 preliminary round. The XXIX Olympic Games men’s basketball competition will feature national teams from 12 countries competing July 29-Aug. 12 in London.

The United States (FIBA World Championship gold medalist) was placed in Group A, along with South American rival Argentina (FIBA Americas gold medalist), France (FIBA Europe silver medalist), Tunisia (FIBA Africa gold medalist) and two teams that will earn their Olympic berths at the FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament, which will be played June 2-8 in Caracas, Venezuela. The top three finishing teams from the Olympic qualifier will earn a berth to London, with the top two finishing teams included in Group A.

"It appears that our Group, Group A, is going to be extremely competitive," said USA head coach Mike Krzyzewski, who led the U.S. to a perfect 8-0 record and the gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. "It's a tough draw with a former Olympic champion in Argentina; France is another powerful team, a veteran team that is extremely talented; Tunisia continues to improve, and then our Group will add the top two teams from the FIBA World Qualifying Tournament. In the Olympics you only have 12 countries qualify so you're going to have tough draws, and that's why winning a gold medal is such a great accomplishment."

"Only 12 countries compete in the Olympics and you've got to get through your pool as one of the top four teams in order to advance to the medal round. So the luck of the draw is what it is and as we have done in every competition since I took over the national team program in 2005, we're taking nothing for granted. We have great respect for each opponent and we look forward to competing against each and every team," said Jerry Colangelo, Managing Director of the USA Men's National Team.

Group B includes Australia (FIBA Oceania gold medalist), Brazil (FIBA Americas silver medalist), China (FIBA Asia gold medalist), host Great Britain, Spain (FIBA Europe gold medalist) and the No. 3 team from the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

Teams that have earned a spot for the last-ditch Olympic qualifier include: Angola, Dominican Republic, Federal Republic of Macedonia, Greece, Jordan, Lithuania, New Zealand, Nigeria, Puerto Rico, Russia, South Korea and Venezuela.

The top four teams from each Olympic preliminary round group will advance to the Aug. 8 quarterfinals, with the winners playing in the semifinals on Aug. 10 and the medal games on Aug. 12.

Assisting Krzyzewski on the 2012 USA coaching staff are Syracuse University’s Hall of Fame coach Jim Boeheim, Mike D’Antoni and Nate McMillan.

The 20 finalists for the U.S. men’s team was announced on Jan. 16 and include: LaMarcus Aldridge(Portland Trail Blazers); Carmelo Anthony(New York Knicks); Chauncey Billups (Los Angeles Clippers); Chris Bosh(Miami Heat); Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers); Tyson Chandler (New York Knicks); Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder); Rudy Gay (Memphis Grizzlies); Eric Gordon (New Orleans Hornets); Blake Griffin (Los Angeles Clippers); Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic); Andre Iguodala(Philadelphia 76ers); LeBron James (Miami Heat); Kevin Love (Minnesota Timberwolves); Lamar Odom (Dallas Mavericks); Chris Paul (Los Angeles Clippers); Derrick Rose (Chicago Bulls); Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat); Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder); and Deron Williams (New Jersey Nets).

The U.S. men have collected a medal in all 16 Olympics in which they have competed, including 13 golds, one silver and two bronze medals. The Americans own an impressive 122-5 overall win-loss record (.961 winning percentage) in Olympic action, and since NBA players began representing the United States in 1992, the USA is 37-3 in the five Olympics in which they have participated, capturing four gold medals and one bronze medal.

The complete schedule, including pairings and game times will be announced by FIBA at a later date.