The Americans are clear favourites to triumph in Rio, but the creative Spaniards and experienced Argentines are among the candidates to cause a shock
Spain – {ODDS:96808403:10/1}
Spain lost to the USA in the final of the last two Olympic tournaments, but pushed the eventual champions all the way to the fourth quarter in both games.
Sergio Scariolo’s side have been impressive in the build-up to the Rio Games, winning the 2015 EuroBasket with a resounding 80-63 victory over Lithuania in the final.
Their roster contains six current NBA players – more than any side other than the Americans – including a trio of talented point guards in Ricky Rubio, Jose Calderon and Sergio Rodriguez.
Unsurprisingly, then, this squad’s strength is its passing, and they are led by perhaps the most creative centre in the NBA – the San Antonio Spurs’ Pau Gasol.
Spain’s offensive attack runs through the 15-year NBA veteran and two-time champion, although his brother and frontcourt partner Marc is missing with a broken foot.
The 31-year-old’s absence will hurt, but Spain are still the most balanced European squad, and undoubtedly the biggest threat to the USA.
France – {ODDS:96808404:14/1}
France’s squad is comprised predominantly of unheralded role players, but they have the potential to be one of the best defensive teams of the tournament.
Rudy Gobert is not a big name, but he will be key to their chances in the latter stages. The big Utah Jazz man is a defensive anchor, and perhaps the best shot blocker at the Games.
Boris Diaw will complement him perfectly – he is a wily passer and effective post player, and Gobert’s presence will mask his defensive shortcomings.
Point guard Nando De Colo won the Euroleague MVP last year and was voted into the EuroBasket all-tournament team.
France finished third at both the FIBA World Cup in 2014 and the 2015 EuroBasket after a disappointing quarter-final exit in 2012.
They are a team on the rise, and should at least be among the final four this summer.
Argentina – {ODDS:96808406:30/1}
Unlike France, Argentina’s big-names are now coming to the end of their careers.
Having taken gold in 2004, they are the last side to triumph at the Olympics before the current spell of American dominance.
But star players Manu Ginobili and Luis Scola are now 39 and 36 respectively.
Ginobili is perhaps the best international player ever, but his playing time will be limited and others will need to help carry the load.
Facundo Campazzo and Nicolas Laprovittola, both veterans of this team in their mid-twenties, are the likeliest to emerge as key players.
Like Portugal’s Euro 2016-winning football team, Argentina’s roster is comprised of aging stars and unproven younger talent.
If the Argentines provide Ginobili with the kind of support Cristiano Ronaldo received, they could achieve similar success this summer.
Lithuania – {ODDS:96808408:30/1}
Few casual basketball fans would consider Lithuania a European power, but coach Jonas Kazlauskas has built his side into a strong medal contender.
The three-time European champions are now ranked third in the world behind the USA and Spain, having finished second at the last two EuroBasket tournaments and fourth at the 2014 FIBA World Cup.
Lithuania’s success at this tournament will depend on the frontcourt duo of Jonas Valanciunas and Domantas Sabonis.
The former has developed into a gifted, physical centre with the Toronto Raptors, while Sabonis, a hugely-talented power forward, went 11th in this year’s NBA draft.
The two big men will simply overpower many of their opponents at this tournament, and they will present a unique test for the USA’s frontcourt should they meet in the knock-out rounds.
