2012 Olympic Men's Basketball Schedule Unveiled

Colorado Springs, Colo. • May 23, 2012

The London Organizing Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) today announced pairings and game times for the 2012 Olympic men’s basketball tournament. Six games will be played each day during the July 29-Aug. 6 preliminary round, beginning at 9:00 a.m. (all times local) with the final tip-off slated for 10:15 p.m. Three of the USA’s games will start at 10:15 p.m., and the two weekend contests will be played at 2:30 p.m.

Two of the USA’s opponents will be determined following the 2012 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament, scheduled for June 2-8 in Caracas, Venezuela, with the top three finishing teams earning the final three Olympic qualifying berths.

The U.S. men open preliminary round play on July 29 at 2:30 p.m. (9:30 a.m. EDT) against France, followed by a contest against Tunisia on July 31 at 10:15 p.m. (5:15 p.m. EDT). The USA’s Aug. 2 and Aug. 4 opponents will be drawn from the Olympic Qualifying Tournament, and the Aug. 2 game tips-off at 10:15 p.m. (5:15 p.m. EDT), while the USA’s Aug. 4 game starts at 2:30 p.m. (9:30 a.m. EDT). The United States will close preliminary round play against Argentina on Aug. 6 at 10:15 p.m. (5:15 p.m. EDT).

The top four teams from each 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.

Managing Director of the USA Basketball Men’s National Team is Jerry Colangelo. The 2012 USA coaching staff is led by USA head coach and Duke University Hall of Fame mentor Mike Krzyzewski. Back in 2012 as USA assistant coaches are Syracuse University and Hall of Fame coach Jim Boeheim, and former NBA head coaches Mike D’Antoni and Nate McMillan.

USA Basketball has identified 22 finalists for the 2012 USA National Team from which the 2012 U.S. Olympic Men’s Basketball Team will be selected.

Finalists for the 2012 USA National Team 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); Anthony Davis (University of Kentucky); Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder); Rudy Gay (Memphis Grizzlies); Eric Gordon (New Orleans Hornets); Blake Griffin (Los Angeles Clippers); James Harden (Oklahoma City Thunder); 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. 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 they have participated in, capturing four gold medals and one bronze medal.