April 26, 2008 • Beijing China
The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) conducted the draw for the Olympic men’s and women’s basketball competition on Saturday, April 26, in Beijing, China, at the Beijing Olympic Basketball Gymnasium, site of the 2008 Olympic Games basketball competition, and the United States men and women learned who they would face in preliminary round games.
The USA men were drawn into preliminary Group B, joining Africa zone champion Angola, host China, defending FIBA World Champ Spain, and two teams that will be determined through the 2008 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament that takes place July 14-20 in Athens, Greece. Group A for the men’s competition consists of Lithuania, European champion Russia, defending Olympic champion Argentina, Australia, Iran and one team that will be determined through the FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament. The men’s basketball competition will held Aug. 10-24. Preliminary play is scheduled for August 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18; quarterfinals action takes place Aug. 20; semifinals play is slated for Aug. 22; and the men’s finals will be held Aug. 24.
The U.S. Men’s Olympic Team will open preliminary play Aug. 10 against host China, then play Angola on Aug. 12, an opponent to be determined through the FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament on Aug. 14, 2006 FIBA World Champion Spain on Aug. 16, and the USA will close out preliminary play Aug. 18 against another opponent to be determined through the FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament. Game times are to be assigned.
The U.S. women were selected for Group B, as were host China, Africa champ Mali, New Zealand, and two teams that will be determined through the FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament that takes place June 9-15 in Madrid, Spain. Group A for the women’s competition features 2006 FIBA World champion Australia, Russia, South Korea, and three teams that will be determined through the FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament. The women’s basketball competition will held Aug. 19-23. Preliminary play is scheduled for August 9, 11, 13, 15 and 17; quarterfinals action takes place Aug. 19; semifinals play is slated for Aug. 21; and the women’s finals will be held Aug. 23.
The U.S. Women’s Olympic Team opens Aug. 9 versus opponent to be determined through the FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament, and next faces host China on Aug. 11, Mali on Aug. 13, another opponent to be determined through the FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament on Aug. 15, and the U.S. finishes off its preliminary play Aug. 17 against New Zealand. Game times are to be assigned.
The USA men, bronze medalists at the 2004 Olympic Games, have medaled in every Olympics they have competed in. The USA men have won a striking 15 gold medals, one silver and two bronze medals in their 18 Olympic Games appearances (the United States chose not to participate in the 1980 Olympic Games), and compiled an impressive 114-5 record (.958).
The defending Olympic champs, the USA women in fact will be vying for a fourth consecutive Olympic gold. Since women’s basketball was officially staged at the 1976 Olympics, the Americans have collected a record five gold medals, one silver and one bronze medal, while compiling a 42-3 (.933) overall record in seven Olympic appearances (the United States chose not to participate in the 1980 Olympic Games).
