It’s almost time to see the world’s best men’s basketball players contend for the gold at this year’s Paris Olympics.
As the globe’s best talents head to France to square off on the hardwood, it’s worth taking stock of what this year’s biggest storylines are and how the quest for the gold is taking shape.
While it’s clear that Team USA will make a big push to be the best in the world, other countries could absolutely challenge the Americans this year.
Let’s take a look at five things you need to know before this year’s Olympic Games get going for men’s basketball.
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1. Team USA should be the favorite to take the gold
With some of the best basketball players on the planet, Team USA should be the frontrunner for the gold medals in Paris for this year’s Olympics. When you’ve got LeBron James, Steph Curry, Anthony Edwards and Joel Embiid on the same team, you’re going to be the country to beat.
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2. France could make waves on home turf
Will France win the gold in Paris? Victor Wembanyama, Rudy Gobert, Nicolas Batum and Bilal Coulibaly headline the French team, which could give Team USA a run for its money with all of its marquee NBA talent.
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3. South Sudan could be a major Cinderella contender
If you’re looking for an underdog team to root for, look to South Sudan. The South Sudan men’s national team nearly upset Team USA in an exhibition contest last week and sports players like NBA vets Weynen Gabriel and Carlik Jones (above) and incoming Duke player Khaman Maluach.
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4. Canada sports some major NBA talent
The Canada men’s national team is as deep as any non-Team USA squad in this year’s Olympics. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jamal Murray, Dillon Brooks, RJ Barrett, Andrew Nembhard, Trey Lyles and Kelly Olynyk headline the deep NBA talent on the roster, and that’s not even the full list of big league talent. Don’t sleep on the Canadians during this year’s Olympics.
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5. Giannis Antetokounmpo could make Greece a legitimate contender
NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo will finally get to play in the Olympic Games after Greece punched its ticket to Paris. While the Greece men’s national team might not be the obvious contender, having an all-world talent like Antetokounmpo could really make a difference in competition.