Top 3 teams that could challenge Team USA for the gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics

#2 France

Nicolas Batum )#5) of France celebrates his team's victory during the Cup ceremony after the FIBA World Cup 2019.

France will pursue another medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics after winning the bronze at the 2019 FIBA World Cup. With the presence of a few elite NBA players, France are a genuine contender for the gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Also Check out: France Olympic Basketball Team 2021

USA will face France on July 25 in a 2020 Tokyo Olympics Group-A bout. With both teams favorites to emerge from the group, there is a likelihood that they could meet further ahead in the competition.

USA Basketball first opponent… Rudy Gobert & Team France https://t.co/947yp0xHgZ

— JazzNation (@JazzNationNews) July 5, 2021

France have options in offense, but they are more dominant in defense. If USA can overcome Team France's masterful defense and make a few stops, they will fancy their chances of beating the European team. However, it is easier said than done, as France have Rudy Gobert, the NBA's 2021 Defensive Player of the Year winner.

Other notable NBA players who will suit up for France at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics are Nicolas Batum, shooting guard Evan Fournier and Frank Ntilikina.

Whoever wins that bout will have the edge if both teams meet later in the competition. Although Team USA have the superior squad overall, Gobert and his counterparts cannot be written off in the race for the gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

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#1 Spain

Marc Gasol (#12) of Spain post up on Mason Plumlee (#35) of the United States.

Spain will undoubtedly give Team USA the most problems at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics if the two teams' paths cross. They are likely to meet because the two teams are the no. 1 and 2-ranked national basketball teams in the world.

Also Check out: Spain Olympic Basketball Team 2021

Notable Spaniards like the Gasol brothers, Ricky Rubio and Willy Hernangomez will suit up once again for Team Spain. Considering the quality and experience in the Spanish roster, they will be formidable gold medal contenders at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Marc Gasol was instrumental in leading Spain to gold at the World Cup 🏆https://t.co/raGyeh6y2o

— Yahoo Sports Canada (@YahooCASports) September 15, 2019

Unless the basketball gods decide to give us a treat early in the competition, both teams are likely to square off in the gold-medal match at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics basketball competition. However, a draw will determine if both teams meet before the final.

The Spanish team is expected to return from the upcoming 2020 Tokyo Olympics with a medal. Which hue they end up with remains to be seen, though.