THE 2024 Pairs Olympics are getting closer, as evidenced by the recent announcement of the groups in the Men’s Basketball competition, with the Australian Boomers set to face off against some National Basketball Association (NBA) superstars.

The Boomers were placed into Group A, in what is being touted as the ‘group of death’, named after the toughest batch of teams at each international basketball tournament.

Coming off an underwhelming performance at the 2023 FIBA World Cup, the Boomers would have likely been hoping for a softer draw than what they got, but instead, they will need to face off against some Olympic favourites in the group stage.

As far as Australia’s roster at the moment, there is still plenty up in the air. Patty Mills and Joe Ingles are in the sunset of impressive international careers, but still have one more Olympic campaign in them.

Josh Giddey emerged as a future leader of Australia’s offence as point guard, Josh Green has stormed onto the scene as a high-impact wing, but Ben Simmons‘ previous comments surrounding his desire to represent the country appear destined to not come to fruition as he is still haunted by injury issues.

Along with Australia, Group A also features the heavily improved Canada, a side that has stormed up the rankings after adding a plethora of NBA talent in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and RJ Barrett. With the NBA season set to be wrapped by the time the games roll around in August, full availability will give the Canadians a massive boost.

The remaining spots in the group will be taken by the winners of the first and third pools, with these qualification tournaments set to take place in the lead up to the Games.

The most likely side to come from the first pool is Spain, as it seems the most experienced and strongest side coming into the qualification, facing off against Lebanon, Angola, Finland, Poland and the Bahamas. The Spanish team has also been a mainstay in Olympic action throughout the 21st Century, and although many of the players from the golden era have moved on, the team still has excellent domestic talent.

When it comes to the third pool and the last spot in the group, it will likely come down to Greece or Slovenia as they are the strongest sides in a batch of teams that is rounded out by New Zealand, Croatia, Egypt and the Dominican Republic.

If Greece advances, the Boomers will have to take on ‘the Greek Freak’ Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has been a top three player in all of basketball over the past five years with extreme athleticism.

On the other hand, Slovenia will be led by Luka Doncic, who has already proven a tough challenge for the Boomers at the FIBA World Cup. Either way, the Aussies will face off with a superstar, and the latter eliminated them from the World Cup in 2023 so it could spell trouble again.

2024 Paris Olympic Games Men’s Basketball groups

GROUP A

Australia
Winner of first pool
Canada
Winner of third pool

GROUP B

France
Germany
Japan
Winner of second pool

GROUP C

Serbia
South Sudan
Winner of fourth pool
USA