Top 10 Olympic Teams

10. Germany

Coached by former University of North Carolina Tar Heel Henrik Rodl, the German National teams came into the tournament on a winning streak of seven wins in a row, with NBA player Mo Wagner scoring 28 in their last qualifying game to beat Brazil.

They did not qualify for the 2012 or 2016 Olympics. Led by Joshiko Saibou, Mo Wagner (Orlando Magic) and Isaac Bonga (Washington Wizards), this team will be hoping to continue their win streak into the tournament.

9. Japan

The hosts have Rui Hachimura and Yuta Watanbe in their starting five, with the two posting a combined 38 points per game in Japan’s qualifying games.

The hosts haven’t competed in the Olympics since 1976, but their strong NBA (Washington Wizards and Toronto Raptors respectively) pairing could cause them to be a big surprise in these games.

8. Argentina

The Pumas have a very good record in the Olympics, winning gold back in 2004. However this is a very different team without Manu Ginobili. The current squad contains three current NBA players and a former Spanish league MVP Luis Scola.

However, the team comes into the tournament looking unlikely to repeat any success as they have lost their last four games.

7. Slovenia

Slovenia could be a dark horse in these Olympics due to one reason, Luka Doncic. The Dallas Mavericks star helped the team qualify for their first Olympics since the country’s independence. Doncic was a part of the team that won the 2017 Euro basketball competition.

They are without the competition’s MVP Goran Dragic (Miami Heat), but still go into the tournament with high hopes and on the back of six wins in a row.

6. Italy

Golden State Warriors youngster Nico Mannion and Atlanta Hawks forward Danilo Gallinari lead Italy into their first Olympics since losing in the final in 2004 to Argentina.

The Italians may struggle in this tournament, with a group containing two teams who just beat the USA in Nigeria and Australia. The 10th ranked FIBA team will look to do well in their first tournament since coming so close to gold.

5. France

The French team came into the tournament with a lot of NBA talent. Rudy Gobert (Utah Jazz) leads the team who are looking to go one step further than their best result, a silver medal in 1948 and 2000.

The team also came into the tournament in terrible form, having lost friendlies to Japan and twice to Spain. This team is incredibly talented, and could ride that talent far into the tournament. 

Updated Results: Silver Medal

4. Nigeria

One of the deepest squads in the Olympics, Nigeria has eight NBA players on their squad including exciting youngsters Precious Achiuwa (Miami Heat) and Josh Okogie (Minnesota Timberwolves).

The team is incredibly talented, shown by their surprise victory over the USA in preparation for the tournament. Nigeria will certainly get their best performance in this Olympics and could be an excellent team throughout. 

3. Spain

Spain has been very close to glory in the last three Olympics, losing to the USA in the finals in 2008 and 2012, and coming third four years ago. The Gasol brothers lead an exciting team with NBA players Ricky Rubio and Juan Hernangomez ( both Minnesota Timberwolves) included.

Having only lost to the USA in preparation for the Olympics, this team will look to finally win an Olympic final, having lost in the final three times.

2. Australia

The third ranked FIBA team came into the tournament on the back of sweeping the competition at the 2018 Commonwealth games and beating the USA 91-83 in preparation for the Olympics.

Patty Mills (San Antonio Spurs) turned into an exceptional player during the Olympics, and the shooting of Joe Ingles (Utah Jazz) and defense of Matthew Dellavedova could lead the Aussies to the gold. This team has never got to the final of the Olympics, but their excellent form could lead them to gold.

Updated Results: Bronze Medal

1. USA

This USA Basketball team has come into this competition as the obvious favorites as normal, having won the gold the last three Olympics, with the team led by NBA All Stars Kevin Durant (Brooklyn Nets) and Damian Lillard (Portland Trail Blazers).

USA has suffered a couple of surprise defeats in the build up to this tournament, but still look the most likely to claim gold. This team looks like the obvious favorites and it would be a big surprise if they were not to win the gold medal.

Updated Results: Gold Medal

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