With the Olympic men's basketball tournament tipping off on July 27, the world's greatest international basketball competition is right around the corner.
The qualifying tournaments are complete, exhibition games are underway and final rosters will soon be set.
This article will be updated regularly to capture the news and rumours for the top medal contenders β including Canada β so check back here for the latest!
Olympic men's basketball favourites:
Check out the latest odds to win Olympic men's basketball at Paris 2024.
Odds as of July 22, 1 p.m. ET
1. USA
FIBA Ranking: 1 | Odds to win Gold: -455 (click to bet)
Group: C | First Game: July 28 vs. Serbia
Key Players: LeBron James, Joel Embiid, Jayson Tatum | Key Injuries: Kevin Durant (calf)
The Buzz: It should come as no surprise that the Americans are the heavy favourites in Paris.
But on July 20 during a friendly against South Sudan in London, the Americans were reminded their path to gold won't be easy. It took a LeBron James layup with eight seconds remaining for the U.S. to avoid one the most shocking international basketball losses in recent memory.
The red, white, and blue were down by as many as 16 at one point, but the James layup allowed them to escape with a 101-100 win.
2. Canada
FIBA Ranking: 7 | Odds to win Gold: +800 (click to bet)
Group: A | First Game: July 27 vs. Greece
Key Players: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jamal Murray, RJ Barrett | Key Injuries: N/A
The Buzz: The Canadians have looked like one of the better teams throughout the friendlies as they prepare for Paris.
Canada claimed two victories in three days over France and Puerto Rico, respectively. The Canadians held French star Victor Wembanyama to 10 points in their 85-73 win against France on July 19. Two days later, Dillon Brooks' 21 points propelled Canada to a 103-93 victory over Puerto Rico.
The amount of talent in this roster π₯
— FIBA (@FIBA) July 10, 2024
Canada π¨π¦ are coming for the podium? π #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/7vZSbI48HD
3. Serbia
FIBA Ranking: 4 | Odds to win Gold: +1,100 (click to bet)
Group: C | First Game: July 28 vs. USA
Key Players: Nikola Jokic, Bogdan Bogdanovic | Key Injuries: N/A
The Buzz: After not giving a straight answer on his Olympic availability following the Denver Nuggets' second-round loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, Nikola Jokic has committed and is ready to go.
Jokic, the three-time and reigning NBA MVP, headlines a solid squad featuring fellow NBA players like Bogdanovic, Nikola Jovic, Aleksej Pokusevski, and Vasilije Micic. This is a veteran team that knows how to play together.
The Serbs won silver at last summer's 2023 FIBA World Cup, a tournament they played without Jokic.
Serbia's Olympic preparation has been a mixed bag. They were demolished 105-79 by the U.S. on July 17, before claiming a 119-100 win against Japan on July 21.
4. France
FIBA Ranking: 9 | Odds to win Gold: +1,500 (click to bet)
Group: B | First Game: July 27 vs. Brazil
Key Players: Victor Wembanyama, Rudy Gobert | Key Injuries: N/A
The Buzz: France has not looked good in recent competition.
The Olympics hosts have lost three straight friendlies leading up to the event. France was limited offensively against Canada on July 19, losing 85-73. Two days later, they dropped a nail-biter to Australia 83-82.
Wembanyama was held to 10 points against Canada in his return from a viral infection that had forced him to miss France's previous friendly. In that contest, they blew an 11-point fourth-quarter lead against Germany.
5. Germany
FIBA Ranking: 3 | Odds to win Gold: +2,000 (click to bet)
Group: B | First Game: July 27 vs. Japan
Key Players: Franz Wagner, Dennis Schroder | Key Injuries: N/A
The Buzz: The Germans have only the fifth-shortest odds to claim gold despite being ranked in FIBA's top three.
Germany hopes to build off its surprising 2023 FIBA World Cup by relying on the same veteran-filled squad. They are led by max contract player Franz Wagner. On July 5, the Orlando Magic star signed a five-year deal worth at least $224 million.
Wagner showcased his skills in a recent friendly against Japan, scoring 27 points in the Germans' 104-83 victory against Japan.
Joined by his brother Mo Wagner, and Dennis Schroder, Franz helped Germany mount a late comeback against France in a recent exhibition contest, scoring 17 points (7-12 FG) in just 20 minutes.
6. Greece
FIBA Ranking: 14 | Odds to win Gold: +3,500 (click to bet)
Group: A | First Game: July 27 vs. Canada
Key Player: Giannis Antetokounmpo | Key Injuries: N/A
The Buzz: Greece booked its ticket to Paris after emerging victorious in a highly competitive qualifying tournament.
Led by NBA megastar Antetokounmpo, Greece went a perfect 4-0 in its qualifying tourney. After going undefeated in group play, Greece defeated Luka Doncic and Slovenia by nearly 30 points before taking down Croatia, 80-69, in the final to advance to Paris.
The Greeks are a veteran squad that will only go as far as the Greek Freak can take them.
What a day for Greece! π¬π·
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) July 7, 2024
Giannis Antetokounmpo was in tears after leading his country to the Olympic menβs basketball competition for the first time since 2008.
(via @FIBA) pic.twitter.com/DwDcloANj0
7. Australia
FIBA Ranking: 5 | Odds to win Gold: +3,500 (click to bet)
Group: A | First Game: July 27 vs. Spain
Key Players: Patty Mills, Josh Giddey | Key Injuries: N/A
The Buzz: Another deep squad featured in the uber-talented Group A, the 'Boomers' have looked sharp leading up to the games.
The Aussies claimed an 83-82 victory over France on July 21 after taking down Puerto Rico 90-75 two days earlier.
Led again by captain Patty Mills in his fifth Olympic appearance, Australia features nine players with NBA experience. They are also bringing back eight members from their Tokyo 2020 bronze medal-winning team.
8. Spain
FIBA Ranking: 2 | Odds to win Gold: +6,500 (click to bet)
Group: A | First Game: July 27 vs. Australia
Key Player: Santi Aldama | Key Injuries: N/A
The Buzz: Spain qualified for Paris after winning their qualifying tournament two weeks ago.
The Spaniards went undefeated throughout their qualifier, defeating a depleted Finnish squad in the semifinal before taking down Bahamas, 86-78, in the final.
That carried that momentum into a recent 76-72 exhibition win over Argentina on July 19.
Spain has the eighth-best odds of winning gold despite holding a second-place FIBA ranking. That could be because Spain only features one NBA player (Aldama) and the rest of the roster is old. For instance, veteran Rudy Fernandez will be making a staggering sixth appearance in the Olympic Games for his native country.
