12. South Sudan
Making their Olympic debut, South Sudan features NBA talents like JT Thor, Wenyen Gabriel, and Carlik Jones. The roster also includes college stars such as Iowa’s Peter Jok and Louisville’s Deng Adel. While they are the underdogs, their length and ball handling could make them competitive.
11. Japan
Japan’s squad will heavily rely on the star power of Rui Hachimura and Yuta Watanabe. They have a cohesive team, but advancing out of the group stage will be a significant challenge given the competition.
10. Brazil
Led by Bruno Caboclo and Raul Neto, Brazil’s roster features NBA and international experience. Gui Santos and Cristiano Felicio add depth, but they will need to overperform to make a deep run.
9. Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico returns to the Olympics with a strong backcourt featuring Jose Alvarado, Tremont Waters, and Jordan Howard. Their size and depth are impressive, but they face a tough group, making it challenging to advance.
8. Greece
Greece’s hopes rest on Giannis Antetokounmpo, one of the best players in the world. Supported by Georgios Papagiannis and Nick Calathes, Greece will need Giannis at his best to navigate the ‘Group of Death’ alongside Spain, Australia, and Canada.
7. Australia
With a mix of veteran leadership from Patty Mills, Joe Ingles, and Matthew Dellavedova, and young talents like Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels, Australia is aiming for another strong Olympic performance. Their balanced roster gives them a good chance to advance from the tough Group A.
6. Spain
Spain, ranked No. 2 globally, features the Hernangomez brothers and rising star Santi Aldama. While they are not as star-studded as previous iterations, their experience and cohesion make them a formidable opponent.
5. France
France boasts a towering front line with Victor Wembanyama and Rudy Gobert. Nic Batum and Evan Fournier add veteran presence. Despite questions about their guard play, their defensive prowess and home-court advantage make them strong contenders.
4. Germany
Fresh off a FIBA World Cup gold medal, Germany aims for its first Olympic medal. Led by Franz and Moritz Wagner, and featuring Dennis Schröder and Andreas Obst, Germany’s cohesive play and recent success make them a serious threat.
3. Serbia
With Nikola Jokic, the world’s best player, Serbia has a significant advantage. Supported by Bogdan Bogdanović and a well-rounded roster, Serbia is a top contender for gold. Their cohesive play and Jokic’s dominance make them a team to watch.
2. Canada
Canada brings its best roster ever, featuring superstars Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jamal Murray. With 11 NBA players, including defensive stalwarts like Dillon Brooks and Lu Dort, Canada has the depth and talent to challenge for the top spot.
1. United States
The U.S. has assembled an all-star roster, featuring LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Joel Embiid, and Anthony Davis. With a blend of experienced legends and rising stars like Jayson Tatum and Anthony Edwards, it’s gold medal or bust for Team USA. Despite stiff competition, they remain the favorites due to their unparalleled depth and talent.
