Men’s basketball tournament set for 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo

Luka Doncic (Google Images)

We now know the 12 teams that will participate in men’s basketball at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2021. This past weekend, the Czech Republic joined Germany, Slovenia and Italy as the teams that won the four FIBA Men’s Olympic Qualifying Tournaments.

In Victoria, British Columbia, the Czech Republic hammered Greece 97-72. There is no doubt the Greeks missed their star power forward, Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is currently with the Milwaukee Bucks (although injured) in the NBA Finals. Patrik Auda led the Czech Republic with 20 points.

In Split, Croatia, Germany beat Brazil 75-64 in the championship game. The Germans were led by Moe Wagner, a power forward with the Orlando Magic, who had 28 points.

In Kaunas, Lithuania, Slovenia defeated the host Lithuanians 96-85. It should have come as zero surprise that Luka Doncic was the Slovenian star. Doncic, the two-time NBA All-Star with the Dallas Mavericks was simply sensational. He had a triple-double, something in the NBA he is known for. On Sunday, Doncic scored 31 points and had 13 assists and 11 rebounds. It will be the first time ever that Slovenia is in the Olympic men’s basketball tournament.

Finally in Belgrade, Serbia, Italy defeated Serbia 102-95 in the final. The Italians were led by Niccolo Mannion of the Golden State Warriors, who had 24 points. Germany, Italy, the Czech Republic and Slovenia, join Japan, Nigeria, Argentina, the United States, Iran, France, Spain, and Australia, who already qualified. The heavy favourites for Olympic gold are the United States, as they have won 15 of 18 gold medals in men’s basketball all-time.

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