THE TRANSATLANTIC MAGAZINE
THE TRANSATLANTIC MAGAZINE
The National Basketball Association season is in full swing, and the newly introduced mid-season tournament has just been won by the Los Angeles Lakers. It will be interesting to see if that team can make a run deep into the postseason come June. Soon after the season ends though, thoughts will immediately turn to the Summer Olympics.
The 2024 edition of the biggest sports show will take place in Paris, France. In preparation for the tournament USA Basketball has just announced that the Men's team will play two games at London’s O2 Arena. This will be formally known as the 2024 USA Basketball Showcase. The games will take place in late July over three days, with South Sudan and Germany the opposition. The last time that the USA team played in London was when they won the Gold medal at the 2012 Olympics.
USA Basketball has teamed up with TEG Group to help promote the team and this event. The game against South Sudan will take place on July 20, with the match against Germany - the current FIBA World Cup champions - two days later.
CEO of USA Basketball, Jim Tooley, said. “USA Basketball is looking forward to the excitement of an Olympic year and the opportunity to take the USA Basketball Showcase to Las Vegas and London. Facing South Sudan and Germany will provide optimal training opportunities as we prepare to defend our gold medal in Paris and we are thrilled to host them next summer.”
Vegas will be the host for the USA training camp, and more details of their schedule will be released soon. It will be a busy time for all USA basketball formats in Paris as the Women’s team will also be competing, and the 3x3 format will also have men and women represented from the States. Both will be looking to retain their gold medals from four years ago where they are the current 5x5 champions, and the women are current champions in the 3x3 event, in which the men are making their debut appearance.
Back to London, the German side are coached by Gordon Herbert. “This a great opportunity to play the USA right before the Olympics,” he said. “A final tune-up to compete against probably the favorite for the Olympic Games. It’s a very good measuring stick for us. The game is played in a great venue.”
Luol Deng is the president of the South Sudan Basketball Federation. The two-time NBA All-Star said: “As a young and developing program, South Sudan Basketball recognizes and appreciates the significance of each stage of our progress. We accept this invitation as a welcome opportunity to compete at an elite level. The USA Basketball Showcase will be a valued addition to our preparation for Paris, and I look forward to the experience being in London, where my journey as an Olympian began 12 years ago.”
The last word goes to Geoff Jones, TEG Group CEO. “TEG is delighted to be partnering with USA Basketball to promote the USA Men’s National Team games in London. Anytime USA plays it is a night to remember. These games at the O2 Arena will be no different. I urge all basketball fans to get in early.”
With that in mind here are the details for the games and how to get your tickets for what will be a great chance to see some fantastic pre-Olympics action.
Tickets for both contests, which will tip off at 8 pm local / 3 pm ET, are on sale from 1 pm GMT / 8 am ET on Friday, December 15 at www.usab.com/tickets
