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Paris Olympics: what to know, how to watch basketball tournaments

By Orri Benatar,

3 days ago

COLUMBUS, Ohio ( WCMH ) — The best basketball players in the world will be in Paris this summer and once again, they all will be chasing the United States.

Team USA has won every men’s and women’s Olympic basketball gold medal since 2008 and will be bringing teams of NBA and WNBA superstars. While the men face arguably the toughest field they’ve ever faced, the women look like they will cruise to an eighth gold medal.

For the second time, the Olympics will also have 3×3 tournaments and for the first time, the United States is bringing a men’s team along with the defending champion women. Here is everything to know about Olympic basketball in Paris.

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USA dream team faces star-studded field

The United States men arguably have their best Olympic roster since 2012. The return of LeBron James, set to compete in his fourth Olympics, spearheads a roster of the next stars of Team USA, like Anthony Edwards and Jayson Tatum, and an aging crop of potential Hall of Famers.

The combination of James with point guard Stephen Curry is a pairing we have never seen in a competitive setting, and three-time gold medalist Kevin Durant has experience playing with both NBA legends. For all three, it is likely their last time wearing the red, white, and blue in the Olympics.

The most important player for the team is center Joel Embiid, who was on the fence between representing the USA or France in Paris. With Embiid manning a frontcourt alongside Anthony Davis, the Americans can win compete in the lane offensively and defensively against other tall and talented frontcourts.

While this American team is stacked, it’s truly the first time many other nations have rosters nearly on par with the U.S. Group rivals Serbia are led by Nuggets star Nikola Jokic, and South Sudan boasts the tallest team at the Games.

Outside of the Americans’ group, other teams including Canada, defending World Cup champion Germany, host France, Greece and Australia have NBA stars, giving them a real chance to beat the United States. Notable international players include Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Canada), Dennis Schroder (Germany), Victor Wembanyama (France), Giannis Antetokounmpo (Greece) and Patty Mills (Australia).

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JULY 10: LeBron James #6 of the United States dunks ahead of Dillon Brooks #24 and RJ Barrett #9 of Canada off of an alley-oop pass from Stephen Curry #4 in the second half of their exhibition game ahead of the Paris Olympic Games at T-Mobile Arena on July 10, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The United States defeated Canada 86-72. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JULY 10: Jayson Tatum #10 of the United States walks on the court during a break in the second half of an exhibition game against Canada ahead of the Paris Olympic Games at T-Mobile Arena on July 10, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The United States defeated Canada 86-72. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JULY 10: Kevin Durant #7 of the United States walks on the court after the team’s 86-72 victory over Canada in their exhibition game ahead of the Paris Olympic Games at T-Mobile Arena on July 10, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Greece’s Giannis Antetokoumpo (C) shoots the ball during the final game of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament between Croatia and Greece at the Peace and Friendship Stadium in Athens on July 7, 2024. (Photo by Aris MESSINIS / AFP) (Photo by ARIS MESSINIS/AFP via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JULY 10: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of Canada drives to the basket between Anthony Davis #14 and Anthony Edwards #5 of the United States in the first half of their exhibition game ahead of the Paris Olympic Games at T-Mobile Arena on July 10, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The United States defeated Canada 86-72. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LYON, FRANCE – JULY 12: Nikola Jokic #15 of Serbia plays against Victor Wembanyama #32 of France during the friendly match between France and Serbia at LDLC Arena on July 12, 2024 in Lyon, France. (Photo by Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images)
MANILA, PHILIPPINES – SEPTEMBER 10: Dennis Schroder #17 of Germany lifts the Naismith Trophy as he celebrates with teammates after the FIBA Basketball World Cup Final victory over Serbia at Mall of Asia Arena on September 10, 2023 in Manila, Philippines. Germany won 83-77. (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images)
Puerto Rico’s Jose Alvarado (L) dribbles the ball against Italy’s Nico Mannion during the 2024 FIBA Men’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament basketball match between Puerto Rico and Italy in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on July 4, 2024. (Photo by Ricardo ARDUENGO / AFP) (Photo by RICARDO ARDUENGO/AFP via Getty Images)
Gerson Goncalves C of Angola passes the ball during the classification round 17-32 match between Angola and South Sudan at the 2023 FIBA World Cup in Manila, the Philippines, Sept. 2, 2023. (Photo by Wu Zhuang/Xinhua via Getty Images)

U.S. women destined to continue Olympic dynasty

U.S. women’s basketball is the greatest dynasty in the Olympics and is nearly a lock to win an eighth straight gold medal. Since 2004, every U.S. team has been a collection of WNBA stars, and 2024 is no different with forward A’ja Wilson leading the way.

Since Wilson won gold in Tokyo three years ago, she has collected two WNBA titles with the Las Vegas Aces and her second WNBA MVP award. She enters the Paris Games in the midst of a historic season in Las Vegas, averaging 27.2 points and 11.9 rebounds. Wilson is the most in-form player on the roster.

Beside her are the other top WNBA players such as the New York Liberty duo of Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu, three of Wilson’s Aces teammates (Kelsey Plum, Chelsea Gray, and Jackie Young) and Diana Taurasi, who at 42 could become the first basketball player to win six Olympic gold medals.

Among the USA’s challengers are reigning silver medalists Japan, Canada, and Australia. Nicknamed “the Opals”, the Aussies feature seven WNBA players and one of the greatest players of all time, Lauren Jackson, who is on her fifth Olympics team at 43.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – OCTOBER 01: Breanna Stewart, Kelsey Plum, A’Ja Wilson and Sabrina Ionescu of the United States Team USA celebrate winning the Gold Medal during the 2022 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Final match between USA and China at Sydney Superdome, on October 01, 2022, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JUNE 15: A’ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces and Breanna Stewart #30 of the New York Liberty wait for a Liberty player to shoot a free throw in the second quarter of their game at Michelob ULTRA Arena on June 15, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Liberty defeated the Aces 90-82. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – JUNE 07: (L-R) Brittney Griner #42, Diana Taurasi #3 and head coach Nate Tibbetts of the Phoenix Mercury stand on the court during the second half of the WNBA game at Footprint Center on June 07, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Mercury defeated the Lynx 81-80. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – OCTOBER 01: Australia’s Steph Talbot is challenged by Canada’s Kia Nurse during the 2022 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 3rd place match between Canada and Australia at Sydney Superdome, on October 1, 2022, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Steve Christo – Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JULY 03: Lauren Jackson of the Opals shoots during the game between Australia Opals and China at John Cain Arena on July 03, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images)
TOKYO, JAPAN – JULY 04: Team Japan poses for a photograph prior to the game one of basketball Women’s International game between Japan and New Zealand at Ariake Arena on July 04, 2024 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Takashi Aoyama/Getty Images)

3×3 could see U.S. double gold

Three-on-three basketball (officially called 3×3) was introduced to the Olympics three years ago in Tokyo. Like a pickup game in the gym, it’s half-court basketball with shots worth one point inside or two points outside the arc. A team wins by either being the first to reach 21 points or by having the most points after 10 minutes. Each tournament will have eight teams.

For the first time, the Americans will have teams in both the men’s and women’s competitions. The men missed out in Tokyo but arrive in Paris led by 2011’s college player of the year Jimmer Fredette. Joining the former BYU player are Canyon Berry, hall of famer Rick Barry’s son; ex-Princeton player Kareem Maddox; and Dylan Travis.

While the U.S. men could win, they face experienced competition with defending gold medalist Latvia, Tokyo bronze medalist Serbia, and Poland.

Team USA’s women are favored to repeat with a new cast of characters. They will be led by WNBA all-stars Rhyne Howard and Dearica Hamby, ex-Tennessee guard Cierra Burdick, and TCU guard Hailey Van Lith, who played for LSU last season.

Los Angeles Sparks rookie Cameron Brink was originally picked for the team but was scratched after suffering a torn ACL. China, France and Australia are other teams to watch. The competition in 3×3 basketball begins on July 30 and concludes on Aug. 5.

SANTIAGO, CHILE – OCTOBER 23: Canyon Barry, Dylan Travis, Jimmer Fredette and Kareem Maddox of Team USA after winning the Gold Medal Game of Men’s Basketball 3×3 at Estadio Espanol on Day 3 of Santiago 2023 Pan Am Games on October 23, 2023 in Santiago, Chile. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
VIENNA, AUSTRIA JUNE 3: Hailey Van Lith of the USA vies with Yua Emura of Japan during the womens play-in match between the USA and Japan on Day 5 of the FIBA 3×3 World cup at Rathausplatz on June 3, 2023 in Vienna, Austria. (Photo by Andrea Kareth /SEPA.Media /Getty Images)