Olympics 2008

Basketball

First Olympic Appearance: 1936 (men); 1976 (women)

by Mike Morrison and Mark Zurlo

Men

Once dominated by the U.S. "Dream Team," international basketball has seen a great deal of parity in recent years as the rest of the world has caught up to the Americans, thanks to fundamentally strong, team-based play. Twelve teams will battle for gold in Beijing, with defending champion Argentina and a refocused U.S. squad likely to be among them.

Did You Know? When basketball began as an Olympic sport in 1936 (for men only), it was played on outdoor sand courts, which turned to mud in the rain.

Competition will be held at the 18,000-seat Wukesong Indoor Stadium. Leading the U.S. team will be Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski, and he will be assisted by Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim, Pheonix Suns coach Mike D'Antoni, and Portland Trail Blazers coach Nate McMillan.

Women

The women's competition will also feature 12 teams battling for gold at Wukesong Indoor Stadium in Beijing. The Americans, who are the defending champions, should face tough competition from Australia, the 2004 silver medalist, and 2006 World Champions. The U.S. team is currently led by Seattle Storm head coach Anne Donovan, and assisted by Duke coach Gail Goestenkors, Temple coach Dawn Staley, and Connecticut Sun coach Mike Thibault.

• More from 2008 Summer Olympics

• Help

• Site Map