MIES (Switzerland) – The field for the Men’s Olympic Basketball Tournament Paris 2024 is now confirmed following the successful conclusion of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments 2024 in Greece, Latvia, Puerto Rico and Spain.
Greece will compete in the Men’s Olympic Basketball Tournament for the first time since 2008, after their victory at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 Greece. They clinched their fourth win, 80-69 over Croatia, on Sunday in front of 11,810 fans at home in the final of the event.
Greece jumped into the lead soon after the start and led for most of the encounter, although they were only able to truly shake off the resilient Croatia late in the final frame, led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nick Calathes, and Giorgos Papagiannis.
Antetokounmpo, the Greek superstar of the Milwaukee Bucks, was named TISSOT MVP of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 in Greece. He led the way for his team in the final with 23 points and 8 rebounds, while averaging 22.5 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists in the tournament. Greece will be placed in Group A and will face Australia, Canada, and Spain.
Puerto Rico triumphed at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 at home in San Juan to clinch a spot in the Men’s Olympic Basketball Tournament for the first time since 2004.
Nelson Colon’s men were helped by 13,504 passionate supporters who showed up in numbers to will the home side to a 79-68 victory against Lithuania in Sunday’s Final. The one-two punch of Jose Alvarado and Tremont Waters proved unstoppable for the Europeans, as Alvarado led the way with a game-high 23 points and Waters chipped in with 18.
Alvarado was named the TISSOT MVP of the tournament after averaging 16.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.3 steals, as the hosts went a perfect four-of-four in San Juan.
In the Olympics, Puerto Rico will slot into Group C alongside defending Olympic champions USA, a Nikola Jokic-led Serbia and South Sudan, who will be making their first-ever appearance at the Games.
Brazil are celebrating being crowned winners of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 in Latvia and securing a coveted place at Paris 2024. They will line up at the Men’s Olympic Basketball Tournament for the 16th time after they spoiled the party in Riga for the home fans. A stunning opening quarter, which included 8 of 8 from downtown and a half-court buzzer beater, gave Brazil a commanding 34-11 advantage over Latvia, and they never looked back.
Sailing to a memorable 94-69 success, they were powered by forward Leo Meindl with a near double-double of 21 points and 9 rebounds. His teammate Bruno Caboclo also impressed with 21 points, which sealed the deal on him being deservedly crowned the TISSOT MVP of the competition. When Brazil line up at Paris 2024, they will do so in Group B, where they will face host nation France, reigning FIBA Basketball World Cup champions Germany, and Japan.
Spain ensured they were victorious in front of their home crowd to celebrate booking their spot at another Men’s Olympic Basketball Tournament. Spain, who were Olympic medalists in 1984, 2008, 2012, and 2016, defeated the Bahamas 86-78 in Sunday’s final in Valencia in front of over 7,000 supporters.
Lorenzo Brown played an important role in the victory with 18 points, including four three-pointers, helping to spark a pivotal run late in the first half. Deandre Ayton posted 17 points and 14 rebounds, while Buddy Hield contributed 19 points and 6 rebounds to lead the Bahamas. However, their efforts were not enough to overcome Spain’s experience in such elimination games.
Santi Aldama collected TISSOT MVP honors with 17.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 in Spain as the hosts won all four games for a perfect week. Rudy Fernandez, 39, is set to become the first male basketball player to compete in six Olympic basketball tournaments.
Spain’s return to another Olympics sees them land in Group A alongside Australia, Canada, and Greece.
The Men’s Olympic Basketball Tournament will commence on July 27 in Lille, concluding with the Final and Third-Place Game at the Bercy Arena in Paris on August 10.
