Men and Women’s Olympic Basketball Group Phase Update 2

With one day left in the group stage, Olympic Basketball in Paris 2024 is very logical in terms of its results, with the United States and Canada being the main candidates in the men’s division.

Meanwhile, in the women’s competition, the Americans were once again the best performers but closely followed by France and Serbia.

The top two teams from each of the three zones will advance to the next phase of the quarterfinals. The two best third-placed teams will be added, and if they equal the record, they will have to resort to the tie-breaker of points difference.

Olympic Basketball Men’s tournament

It is impossible not to start talking about men’s basketball without touching on the United States, which has shown itself to be a very talented team, not only offensively, but defensively, thanks to having complementary players such as Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, and Bam Adebayo.

However, two names stand out: LeBron James, the great patriarch of the team, and Kevin Durant, who scored 23 points against Serbia and 14 versus South Sudan.

The only problem that coach Steve Kerr has faced is that he has had to sit some star players, first Jayson Tatum and then Joel Embiid. Another one who did not play was Tyrese Halliburton, but, this point guard does not have the relevance of Tatum, reigning NBA champion, and Embiid, MVP of the 2022-2023 season.

The U.S. is qualified, as is Canada, which has defeated Greece, Australia, and Spain with some ease. Despite having a figure of the caliber of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the best scorer has been forward RJ Barrett, with 23 and 24 points in the first two duels.

Josh Giddey’s Australia also advanced in this zone, and Greece (one win and two losses) has the chance to qualify as the best third-placed team.

In the United States zone, Serbia and South Sudan will play for qualification this Saturday, while in Group B, Germany and the local team, France, with the promising young player Victor Wembanayama, are in the next phase with their two victories.

Meanwhile, Brazil (one win and two losses, points difference -7) has already qualified as the best third team, while Greece (-8) will have to wait for the USA’s group to be defined because depending on the results of Serbia (1-1, +15) and Sudan (1-1, -6), they will know if they will qualify as the best third team.

Olympic Basketball Women’s tournament

In women’s basketball, let’s discuss Serbia, which defeated Puerto Rico 58-55 and China 81-59. Dragana Stankóvic was the most outstanding player in the first game with 15 points, and in the second game, it was Yvonne Anderson, also with 15.

With two victories they lead their group, but,they will define the first place with Spain, who overcame China and Puerto Rico. Megan Mustafson, who scored 29 and 18 points in her performances at the Paris 2024 Olympics, is the one to watch out for.

Group A will be defined tomorrow, August 3, while Group B will be one day later. France is already safe in the next stage with two victories, making their home ground respected. The second place is being fought for by Nigeria and Australia, but the latter country has the misfortune of closing with the French.

In other words, Nigeria must play its best against Canada to secure its place in the quarterfinals, while waiting for France to fulfill the logic.

Meanwhile, in Group C is the United States, a powerful team that destroyed Japan 102-76 and suffered a little more against Belgium (87-74).

A’ja Wilson did not disappoint in these Olympics, in the first game, she scored 24 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, while in the second match, she was not the best scorer, but reached 13 boards, proving why she is one of the top players in the WNBA.