Carmelo Anthony, the former NBA player, declared that the United States men’s basketball team must ‘come to play’ in the Paris Olympic Games in order to defend their throne as Olympic champions.
Team France, who has an advantage playing in their home country, is reportedly ready to dethrone Team USA, the 16-time gold medal winner.
“As a country, as Americans, we understand that we have to come to play… It’s in France. France has a really, really good team. They’re going to be trying to protect their home court and do what they have to do for their own fans and their own country. It’s going to be exciting,” Anthony declared.
Team USA: Stronger teams. One victory
Team USA will be part of Group C, wherein they will play against a strong Serbia team, South Sudan, who are making their first Olympic appearance and the winners of a qualification event in Puerto Rico in July.
The draw was made at the headquarters of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) in Switzerland.
Team France, who lost in the final game at the Tokyo Games in 2021 against Team USA by 5 points, needs to face Germany, Japan, and Latvia in Group B.
More so, in the women’s tournament, Team USA was nine-time Olympic champions and won gold at the Tokyo Games as well. They will play against Germany, Japan, and Belgium in the group stage.
Cover Photo: IG
Source: Rappler