The FIBA ​​Basketball World Cup ended with Germany’s victory. Now a new debate has begun. Who are the favorites to win basketball at the 2024 Paris Olympics?

The FIBA ​​Basketball World Cup concluded last Sunday with a somewhat surprising victory for Germany over Serbia in the final. Once the final whistle blew, a new debate began. Who are the basketball favorites now at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games?

Team USA clearly did not take its best team to the World Cup tournament in Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines. Other countries, such as Serbia and France. Greece and Canada also suffered heavy losses. One day after the tournament ended, LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Stephen Curry announced their intention to be in Paris and figures such as Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Victor Wimpanyama and Giannis Antetokounmpo will be available. On the other hand, it was Germany that performed the best basketball throughout the tournament and still has a lot of room for improvement with a team with rising values ​​led by veteran Dennis Schröder.

How will the standings change with full teams? With the help of the experts at ESPN Deportes, we bring you a guide to the premature power rankings for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

NB: The organization is based on the eight teams that are already seeded and the four that we understand could get the pass after playoff contention.

12- South Sudan

classification: First from Africa in the FIBA ​​World Cup

Luol Deng’s heroic project is heading towards an unlikely ranking for Paris as number one in Africa. They came close to beating Puerto Rico in the first round and secured a historic Olympic berth with an open win over Angola. We will see a lot of athletic talent and future talent like youngster Khaman Maluach, who caught the eye due to his height (7’1″ / 2.16m) and ability in his few minutes as a 16-year-old. – Hiram Martinez

11- Japan

classification: First from Asia in the FIBA ​​World Cup

Of all the direct qualifiers for Paris 2024, Japan had the lowest FIBA ​​World Cup ranking, finishing in 19th place. For the World Cup, they had Yuta Watanabe, the forward for the Phoenix Suns, but their best player was Joshua Hockenson, who averaged 21 points and was second best in the tournament at 10.2 points per game. The addition of Rui Hachimura gives them NBA experience and improves their long-range attack (they shot 31.8 from the arc), but it won’t push the Asians into the second round. – Hiram Martinez

10- Australia

classification: First Oceania in the FIBA ​​World Cup

Although at the World Cup he put together a team that combined experience and youth, he was unable to reach the top five in the final rankings. Although this experience could help improve, the fact is that they lost both matches to strong players such as Germany and Slovenia. Although he has room for improvement, it will be difficult for him to reach the top eight in Paris. – Marcelo Busquet

9- Greece

classification: Olympic replay is on hold

The mere presence of Giannis Antetokounmpo could change the face of Greece, which was eliminated in the second round after defeats by Lithuania and Montenegro. – Hiram Martinez

8- Spain

classification: Olympic replay is on hold

Spain failed to defend their world title due to a noticeable drop in level of play (majorly missing Ricky Rubio and Lorenzo Brown). With the addition of some famous goalkeepers, he will once again become an unwanted competitor to anyone. – Pablo Cormic

7- Slovenia

classification: Olympic replay is on hold

With star Luka Doncic, Slovenia failed in its attempt to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup, but it once again performed at a level in line with what was expected. Its players are committed to the project and have the materials needed to compete in the Olympic Games for a second time. – Pablo Cormic

6- Lithuania

classification: Olympic replay is on hold

After a huge win over the United States, Lithuania collapsed in the pivotal match of the tournament against Serbia. But there is no doubt that it has the players, led by Jonas Valanciunas, and the teamwork to return to Olympic action. – Pablo Cormic

5- France

classification: Host country

What happened with France in the 2023 World Cup was a sporting disaster. Yes, it’s true they had injuries, but not getting past the first round was a miserable failure for a team that came into the competition with important NBA and EuroLeague players on its roster, and a runner-up finish at the Olympics. “It’s a nightmare for us,” admitted coach Vincent Collet. Which is completely understandable, first, because the 95-65 loss to Canada was embarrassing, and second, the loss to Latvia after taking a 13-point lead in the fourth quarter – forgetting Rudy Gobert – was impossible to predict in advance.

At the 2024 Olympics, they will be local and will have an excellent opportunity to reverse this dull image. To do this, they will have to do their best. What does it mean? Add to this squad No. 1 pick Victor Wimpanyama and Joel Embiid, who recently acquired French citizenship. However, names will not be enough: they have to play better, defend harder, and realize the strength they have. However, there is no tomorrow for the Blue Team. – Bruno Altieri

4- Canada

classification: First for America in the FIBA ​​World Cup

After many failed attempts, Canada achieved its best World Cup performance in its history with third place. Throughout the tournament, because of the names and the style of play, expectations were higher. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the big star of Jordi Fernandes’ side: he showed his tremendous ability to score and control the ball in crucial match situations. Dillon Brooks, who has great defensive qualities, stepped up when the team needed him most. RJ Barrett, Kelly Olynyk and Luguentz Dort all played their roles and completed a powerful five-man formation on either side of the field that set the tone for most World Cup matches.

Jamal Murray and Andrew Wiggins will be key players in expanding the squad that has shown great commitment to representing their country and can continue its rise to the top of world basketball. – Pablo Cormic

3- Germany

classification: First in Europe, world champion

The new world champion has a base of players who have been with the team for a long time and culminated in this process in the 2023 World Cup. The German national team showed differences that confirmed that it is a fearsome team: it played strongly from start to finish. In the last match of the tournament, he knew how to find the pace of play that suits him, had a tremendous ability to score, took advantage of counter-attack opportunities and in a consistent attack presented a wide range of variations and defended strongly in all situations.

Although Dennis Schroder was the greatest authority and was chosen as the best player in the World Cup, the team led by Gordon Herbert had high-level names that complemented each other perfectly with the great leader, and even came to his rescue when he performed very poorly against him. Latvia. Brothers Franz and Moritz Wagner, Daniel Theis, Johannes Voigtmann, Andreas Obst and Isaac Bonga had key moments on the path to consecration in an undefeated way.

Expectations for Paris 2024 will be very high. The inclusion of Maxi Kleber, if it does not generate turmoil in the group, will make this team even stronger and will be in search of an Olympic basketball medal in an ever-growing country. – Pablo Cormic

2- Serbia

classification: Second in Europe in the FIBA ​​World Cup. Summer of the world

They reached the 2023 World Cup finals with a strong and serious team performance, which is in keeping with the usual guidelines of the Balkan school that has always been an example of this discipline. The leadership of the experienced player Svetislav Pesic was key to generating the idea of ​​the game whose star player was Bojan Bogdanovic, but it was always well supported by the youngsters Nikola Jovic, Nikola Milutinov, Aleksa Avramovic and many others.

The very serious injury suffered by Burisa Simanic, who lost his kidney after being elbowed by Noni Omot in the match against South Sudan, was a factor, but the team never gave up and united behind a cause. It was not enough to be a world champion, but facing the 2024 Paris Olympics, the prognosis is encouraging: can you imagine adding Nikola Jokic and Aleksei Pokusevski to this structure? If this is achieved, we will be in front of one of the great candidates to preserve everything. – Bruno Altieri

1- United States

classification: Second place for America in the FIBA ​​World Cup

After failing to win a medal at the World Cup, is it possible to believe that the United States will not change its national team lineup? He will certainly search for a greater defensive identity and greater talent to claim the gold medal in Paris and regain the prestige that is in doubt today. I don’t see the USA underestimating the tournament but looking to put together a strong team. If you put him with 12 of a 15-man base like Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Ja Morant, Anthony Davis, LeBron James, Devin Booker, Kyrie Irving, Bam Adebayo, Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green, Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Donovan Mitchell Bradley Bill and Jarrett Allen or Deandre Ayton himself, can anyone not dare to give him a favorite? – Marcelo Busquet