Basketball at the Olympics began in 1936 (don’t worry even then we won the first seven) and the women’s game was added in 1976. This year’s competition will be held in the Carioca Arena in the Barra zone. The US qualified in the men’s and women’s events by winning the last world championships in 2014.

The Team:

The US teams are made up of twelve men and twelve women. The women’s team leans heavier on returning players with nine Olympic veterans including five three-time Olympians and three four-time Olympians. On the men’s side only two are returners though one is a four-time Olympian. Tamika Catchings is the oldest member at 37 while Breanna Stewart is the youngest at just 21.

Links are to twitter accounts for the athletes.

USA Basketball
Men:
Carmelo Anthony***
Harrison Barnes
Jimmy Butler
DeMarcus Cousins
DeMar DeRozan
Kevin Durant*
Paul George
Draymond Green
Kyrie Irving
DeAndre Jordan
Kyle Lowry
Klay Thompson

Women:
Seimone Augustus**
Sue Bird***
Tamika Catchings***
Tina Charles*
Elena Delle Donne
Sylvia Fowles**
Brittney Griner
Angel McCoughtry*
Maya Moore*
Breanna Stewart
Diana Taurasi***
Lindsay Whalen*
* – Was on team in 2012 – London
** – Was on team in 2012 and 2008 (Beijing)
*** – Was on team in 2012, 2008, and 2004 (Athens)

Format:

In the Olympics the basketball competitions take the form of a six-team group stage followed by an eight team tournament. The top four teams in each group will advance. Head-to-head results are the tiebreaker.

Schedule:

All Times ET
Saturday, August 6th
6 PM – Men’s Group Stage – USA vs. China

Sunday, August 7th
11 AM – Women’s Group Stage – USA vs. Senegal

Monday, August 8th
11 AM – Women’s Group Stage – USA vs. Spain
6 PM – Men’s Group Stage – USA vs. Venezuela

Wednesday, August 10th
2:30 PM – Women’s Group Stage – USA vs. Serbia
6 PM – Men’s Group Stage – USA vs. Australia

Friday, August 12th
2:30 PM – Women’s Group Stage – USA vs. Canada
6 PM – Men’s Group Stage – USA vs. Serbia

Sunday, August 14th
11:15 AM – Women’s Group Stage – USA vs. China
1:15 PM – Men’s Group Stage – USA vs. France

Tuesday, August 16th
10 AM/1:30/5:45/9:15 PM – Women’s Quarterfinals

Wednesday, August 17th
10 AM/1:30/5:45/9:15 PM – Men’s Quarterfinals

Thursday, August 18th
2/6 PM – Women’s Semifinals

Friday, August 19th
2:30/6 PM – Men’s Semifinals

Saturday, August 20th
10:30 AM – Women’s Bronze Medal Game
2:30 PM – Women’s Gold Medal Game

Sunday, August 21st
10:30 AM – Men’s Bronze Medal Game
2:45 PM – Men’s Gold Medal Game

Past Results:

The US gold streaks are two on the men’s side (and five of six) and five on the women’s side (and seven of eight). Any of the women who have been before won gold in those appearances totaling 17 golds among the nine veterans. On the men’s side the two who were there in London have golds with one holding two golds and a bronze from 2004. Overall the US has seven of the 10 women’s golds and 14 of the 18 men’s golds. The US has never failed to medal.