How many groups are there in Olympic basketball?

Basketball began as a demonstration sport in 1904 in the Olympics. However, the game officially became a medal sport in 1936 at the Berlin Olympics, while the women's basketball game had to wait another 40 years to get into the Olympics. The United States invented the game, and The men's team has dominated the competition, winning gold in most of the Olympic Games they've participated in. The women's team has been even more successful, securing gold medals in nearly every Olympics since 1984.

A significant moment in Olympic basketball history came in 1996 at Atlanta. The USA men's team, dubbed the "Dream Team," featured top NBA players for the first time. This star-studded squad captured the world's attention, winning their games by impressive margins and elevating the sport's global profile.

Number of groups in Olympic basketball

In Olympic men's basketball, the tournament is organized into three groups. Each group consists of four teams, making a total of 12 teams competing in the initial stage. From each group, the top two teams automatically move forward. Additionally, the two best third-placed teams across all groups also advance.

Men’s Basketball Groups

Women’s Basketball Groups

After the group stage, a draw is held to decide the matchups for the quarterfinals. This random selection adds an element of surprise and can lead to unexpected and exciting games. The winners of these quarterfinal matches then move on to the semifinals, getting one step closer to Olympic glory.

The victorious teams from the semifinals face each other in the gold medal match, competing for the ultimate prize in Olympic basketball. Meanwhile, the two losing semi-finalists aren't left out – they play against each other for the bronze medal.

An interesting aspect of the Paris 2024 Olympics is the venue arrangement for basketball. The group stage games will take place in Lille at the Pierre Mauroy Stadium, while the knockout rounds will be held in Paris at the Bercy Arena. This setup allows different parts of France to experience the excitement of Olympic basketball.