The draw for the Olympic competition groups for men's and women's basketball players took place Tuesday in Mies, Switzerland.

The Whites and Reds, led by coach Igor Milicic, will play in Valencia at the beginning of July in the first phase of the Olympic qualifying round against the teams of the Bahamas and Finland, and if they qualify for the next matches (both best teams), they could face the world (2019) and European (2022) champions. In Paris to compete in the group. And only the winner of Valencia will participate in the Olympic tournament.

The ball bearing the name of the winner of the Valencia qualifying tournament was drawn first during the ceremony in Mies.

The ceremony was attended by basketball stars – world champion (2006), three-time WNBA champion (2007, 2009, 2014) and two-time Olympic silver medalist (2004, 2008), Australian Penny Taylor and former NBA player, three-time Olympic champion. champion (2008, 2012, 2016) American Carmelo Anthony.

12 basketball teams were divided into three groups, in accordance with the FIBA ​​women's and men's ranking criteria and geographical guidelines.

Among the men's teams, eight participants are known, including seven who qualified in Paris during the 2023 World Cup: the champions of Germany and Serbia, Canada, the United States, Australia, Japan and the world championship debutant from South Sudan, as well as – as the Olympic host – France. The field will be completed by the four winners of the qualifying tournaments (24 teams), which will take place from July 2 to 7 in Valencia (with Poland), Riga, Piraeus and San Juan. The draw for the men's tournament was also based on geographical criteria and the FIBA ​​ranking.

In the women's basketball tournament, the most interesting competition will be in group C – with the American Olympic and world champions, the Belgian European champions, the Japanese, who sensationally won silver in Tokyo after having lost to the United States in the final (75:90). ), and the Germans. The latter reaches the Olympic Games for the first time in history. The Americans have continually aimed for Olympic gold since 1996 (Atlanta).

During the group stage of the Paris women's basketball tournament, each team will play three matches. The top two teams from each group and two of the three third-placed teams will advance to the quarter-finals.

Women's Olympic basketball tournament groups (FIBA ranking place in parentheses):
A: China (2), Spain (4), Serbia (10), Puerto Rico (11)
B: Australia (3), Canada (5), France (7), Nigeria (12)
C: United States (1), Belgium (6), Japan (9), Germany (19).

Olympic basketball tournament groups:
A: Australia (5), Canada (7), winner of qualifiers in Valencia (vs Poland), winner of qualifiers in Piraeus
B: France (9), Germany (3), Japan (26), winner of the qualification in Riga
C: USA (1), Serbia (4), South Sudan (33), winner of qualifications in San Juan.