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The United States have been the dominant force in Olympic basketball for decades and enter the Paris Olympics as reigning champions in both men’s as well as women’s events. read more
 "Basketball - history, rules, defending champions")
United States forward LeBron James will likely be making his final appearance at the Olympics in Paris. AP
Basketball was invented by in 1891 by James W. Naismith, a physical education teacher in Springfield, USA, as an indoor sport for YMCA athletes to stay in shape during winter.
Since then, it has gone on to become one of the most popular sports the world over, with global governing body FIBA representing 212 national federations. The first international games were played in the 1920s and global-level tournaments would begin in the 1950s.
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The United States is without a doubt a flagbearer for the sport; not only does it dominate global events such as the Olympics and World Cups, its immensely successful league the National Basketball Association (NBA) has become somewhat synonymous with the sport, attracting some of the best talens from across the world where the level of competition is at part, if not greater than international events.
What is basketball’s history at Olympics?
Basketball was included in the 1904 St Louis Games as an exhibition sport, although only American teams took part as the competition was counted as part of the American Basketball Championship. Men’s baskeball would officially be added to the Olympic programme in the 1936 Games in Berlin, while women’s basketball would be added 40 years later in Montreal 1976.
USA has by far been the most dominant nation in the sport. The men’s team has won gold in each edition of the Olympics except 1972, 1980, 1988 and 2004 while the women have been crowned champions every single since Los Angeles 1984 except Barcelona 1992, when they finished with bronze.
What are the rules?
Basketball involves two teams comprising five players each played on a rectangular court with hoops or baskets placed at the two ends and suspended 10 feet above the ground. Players use their hands to control the ball and dribble it around the court in order to put the ball through the hoop at the opposing team’s end. The objective of a game of basketball is for a team to win by scoring more points than their opponents.
Who are the reigning champions?
The United States of America are the reigning Olympic champions in men’s as well as women’s basketball.
The men’s team defeated France for the gold medal at the Tokyo Games, the fourth consecutive Olympic title for the Americans. While the women have won the last seven gold medals, defeating hosts Japan in Tokyo.
How many teams have qualified in basketball?
Basketball have 12 teams each in men’s and women’s basketball divided into three groups of four teams each. Reigning champions USA as well as Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, Puerto Rico, Serbia and Spain are teams that have qualified for both men’s and women’s events.
Who are the athletes to watch in basketball?
LeBron James, United States: The NBA’s all-time scoring leader seeks his third Olympic gold medal (2008, 2012) and returns to the Games for the first time in 12 years. At 39, James presumably is playing in his final Olympics.
Kevin Durant, United States: He is seeking to become the first four-time men’s basketball gold medalist, after helping the U.S. win gold at Tokyo in 2021, Rio de Janeiro in 2016 and London in 2012.
Victor Wembanyama, France: The NBA rookie of the year and runner-up for defensive player of the year (behind French teammate Rudy Gobert) will be one of the faces of the Paris Games.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Canada: The runner-up in this season’s NBA MVP voting behind Nikola Jokic of Serbia (another likely Olympic player this summer) will be asked to help deliver Canada a medal. It’s not out of reach, as proven by Canada’s bronze at the World Cup last summer.
Stephen Curry, United States: The NBA’s all-time 3-point leader will make his Olympic debut at age 36.
Lauren Jackson, Australia: She returned to international play at the 2022 World Cup to lead the Opals to the bronze medal. The 43-year-old three-time WNBA MVP hasn’t played in the Olympics since 2012 because of injuries. Jackson has three silver medals (2000, 2004, 2008) and one bronze (2012).
Satou Sabally, Germany: She helped Germany qualify for its first Olympics and is one of the top young players in the WNBA, where she plays for the Dallas Wings.
A’ja Wilson, United States: One of the top faces of the tournament, Wilson has been a winner everywhere she has played, winning an NCAA title at South Carolina, two WNBA championships with the Las Vegas Aces and Olympic gold in Tokyo.
Emma Meesseman, Belgium: She helped Belgium reach the quarterfinals at Tokyo three years ago.
Megan Gustafson, Spain: After playing in college at Iowa, the Wisconsin native went through the naturalization process so she could play for Spain, which finished sixth at the Tokyo Olympics. She now plays for the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces.
When and where will basketball take place at Paris Olympics?
The men’s basketball competition gets underway on 27 July with the women’s event starting a day later. While the men’s gold and bronze medal matches take place on 10 August, the women’s medal games take place on 11 August, the final day of competition.
With inputs from AP
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English (US) ·