The Australian Boomers and Seven Consulting Australian Opals can now prepare for their initial opponents in Paris following the Olympic Basketball Tournament draw in Switzerland overnight.
The draw was conducted by former Opals captain and dual Olympic silver medallist Penny Taylor and USA triple gold medallist Carmelo Anthony.
The draw saw the 12 competing countries divided into three groups of four.
Following the group phase, the top two teams from each group will automatically advance to the Quarter Finals along with the two best third-placed nations.
Grouped in Pool B, the World No.3 Opals will play host-nation France (No.7), Canada (No.5) and Nigeria (12).
Opals legend Michele Timms, who played at three Olympics, says Australia has a good draw, adding that Pool A, which includes China, Serbia, Spain and Puerto Rico is the toughest group.
“I’m predicting France to medal. They looked super at the Olympic Qualifiers, thrashed China in China, they looked deep and really, really good,” Timms said.
“France are also obviously the host nation so it’ll be a great challenge for us.”
The fifth-ranked Boomers are in Group A and right now only know one opponent, 2023 FIBA World Cup bronze medallist Canada.
They will also play the winner of the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Greece (one of Greece, Slovenia, New Zealand, Croatia, Egypt and Dominican Republic) and the winner of the Qualifying Tournament in Spain (one of Spain, Lebanon, Angola, Finland, Poland and Bahamas).
Four-time Olympian David Andersen said the Boomers will face tough opposition.
“Canada are going to be really good and have the potential NBA MVP in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander then there’s the two teams who will come through the qualifiers so you’re looking at say Greece and Spain, two traditional European powerhouses,” Andersen said.
“It’s going to be tough but that’s the Olympics, it’s the best of the best.”
Basketball takes to the Olympic stage from July 27 to August 11 with the schedules for the Boomers here and Opals available here.
