Group C in the Men’s Olympic Basketball tournament will be high scoring and arguably is the most talented group in the Olympic Games. This group features podium favorites Argentina and Spain.
Japan also obtained a spot in this group and the last spot is held for the winner of the Kaunas, Lithuania qualifier. Pending a monumental breakdown, Argentina and Spain will move on from this group and contend for a medal throughout the tournament.
The teams in Group C at Tokyo 2020 include:
- Argentina (World Rank #4)
- Japan (World Rank #42)
- Spain (World Rank #2)
- TBD: Winner of Kaunas, Lithuania Qualifier
Argentina Men's Basketball: Breakdown & Predictions
The Argentina Men’s National Team is led by Sergio Hernandez, who coached the country’s men’s teams in the 2008 and 2016 Olympic games where they placed third and eighth respectively. After finding out who the country is grouped with, guard Nicolas Laprovittola showed his team’s passion for the tournament,
"We left the Final with anger and we want revenge."
Argentina is always a medal favorite and with more and more of their players gaining NBA experience this could be the games where the sky blue and white move beyond their expectations of the podium and challenge USA for the gold.
Japan Men's Basketball: Breakdown & Predictions
The Japanese men’s basketball team was granted entrance in the Tokyo games after FIBA decided to hand them automatic places in its’ meeting in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire. With Japan being the host nation, it is only fitting that they are in the tournament.
They are absolute longshots, but do not expect this country to lay over and allow teams to bully them. This is a tournament in their country, and they will represent it very well.
The game of basketball has grown immensely over the past few years in the nation and this team is looking to represent their people in the best way possible.
Spain Men's Basketball: Breakdown & Predictions
The men of Spain come in with high hopes and even higher expectations as they were most recently winners of the FIBA Basketball World Cup in 2019. Being ranked second in the world says something about the potential this team has to dethrone the United States in the Olympics.
They will have depth, they will have experience, and they will have leadership that will start with five time Olympian Pau Gasol. Gasol last played in the NBA in 2019 but is looking to make history and end his basketball career on a high note.
This team has the best chance to challenge the Red, White, and Blue, and if the United States finds themselves in a slump at any point during the tournament, look for Spain to challenge for gold.
Kaunas, Lithuania Qualifier: Breakdown & Predictions
The Kaunas, Lithuania qualifier begins on the 29th of June. The tournament features Angola, Korea, Lithuania, Poland, Slovenia, and Venezuela.
Lithuania led by Domantas Sabonis (Indiana Pacers) are clearly the favorites in this qualifying event for Tokyo. The deciding game of the qualifier will most likely feature Lithuania and Poland. With Lithuania having more experience and a better track record, look for the Lithuanian men to move on to Tokyo this Summer.
